Associate Guidelines

The Associate level prepares practitioners to work with struggling readers of all ages, including individuals with dyslexia, primarily in individual and small-group settings.

This training is designed for teachers, special education professionals, therapists, tutors, and others who want to support individuals with language-based learning differences in reading, writing, and spelling. For most practitioners, the Associate level is the starting point for formal training in the Orton-Gillingham Approach and preparation for one-to-one instruction.

The Associate level provides a comprehensive understanding of the Orton-Gillingham Approach, including reading acquisition, dyslexia, assessment, lesson planning, and instruction in essential literacy skills.

Upon acceptance into the Academy, Associate members work under the mentorship of an OGA Fellow.

The program requires a minimum of 70 hours of coursework and a 100-lesson practicum.

Areas of Study

The Associate curriculum includes:

• Reading acquisition, including major theories and research that have shaped literacy instruction
• Dyslexia: definition, characteristics, impact, current research, and diagnosis
• The Orton-Gillingham Approach
• Phonological and phonemic awareness
• Phonics and word structure
• Reading fluency
• Vocabulary and semantics
• Listening and reading comprehension
• Handwriting
• Syntax and discourse
• History of the English language
• Basic morphology
• The Orton-Gillingham lesson
• Formal and informal assessment
• The history, purpose, and philosophy of the Orton-Gillingham Academy
• Professionalism and ethics

Requirements

Prerequisites

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in any area of study

Coursework

• Minimum of 70 hours completed with an Academy Fellow or Fellow-in-Training (FIT) under the supervision of a Fellow

Practicum

• 100 supervised lessons completed over eight consecutive months (minimum one school year)
• Ten observations of the trainee providing a 40–60 minute lesson in an individual or small-group setting
• Observations completed through unedited video recordings or onsite by a Fellow or Fellow-in-Training

Readings

• Associate Reading List
• OGA Overview

Additional Information

• Application through the SurveyMonkey Apply website, including two letters of support
• Associate Warranty
• OGA Code of Ethics

Fees and Deadlines

Application Fee: $200 (includes first-year dues)

Annual Dues: $110

Application Deadlines

• March 10
• July 10
• November 10

Decision Notifications

• March 10 deadline: June
• July 10 deadline: October
• November 10 deadline: February