Why Orton-Gillingham Training and Certification Are Not the Same.

Parents often ask me: “What’s the difference between someone who’s trained in Orton-Gillingham and someone who’s certified?” It’s a great question, and one that matters a lot if your child is struggling to read.

The Orton-Gillingham (OG) approach is widely recognized as the gold standard in structured literacy training and is central to dyslexia training for teachers. It is an evidence-based reading instruction model built around multisensory teaching strategies that uses sight, sound, touch, and movement to help students process language. While both “trained” and “certified” teachers may say they use Orton-Gillingham, their knowledge and level of expertise is very different.

A teacher who completes OG training typically takes about 30 hours of coursework that covers the basics of the Science of Reading and the core principles of the Orton-Gillingham approach to reading instruction. In some cases, teachers are expected to learn the program on their own or receive informal training from a colleague. While these options can be a helpful introduction, they don’t prepare teachers to deliver the kind of intensive tutoring and support that new and struggling readers truly need.

Certification, on the other hand, is much more rigorous. A certified Orton-Gillingham teacher goes far beyond the introductory 30 hours, often taking up to 12 months to complete the process. After training, they enter a 25-week practicum under the supervision of a veteran reading/dyslexia specialist. During this practicum, teachers:

• Work one-on-one (or in very small groups) with students, implementing Orton-Gillingham lessons in real time.

• Practice and refine multi sensory reading strategies for struggling readers.

• Receive personalized coaching from a supervisor.

• Complete assigned readings and reflections to deepen understanding of the Orton- Gillingham method and research based reading programs.

• Take a final standardized exam to demonstrate mastery and earn reading intervention certification.

Teachers consistently describe this as the most valuable teacher professional development in literacy of their careers. They emerge as confident literacy teachers who can adapt the Orton-Gillingham method for any learner, at any age.

This level of expertise is exactly what struggling readers need. That’s why Raising Hands Tutoring requires our teachers to be certified, not just trained. Children deserve teachers that know how to implement evidence-based reading programs (like the Orton-Gillingham method) to help them become strong readers and confident adults!