Frequently Asked Questions

RIE is led by Sarah Rideout, a Fellow with the Orton-Gillingham Academy (OGA). When searching for “OG trainings,” you’ll often come across numerous “OG-based” programs—structured literacy programs that incorporate elements of OG but modify them into a scripted approach. While these programs deserve recognition for promoting structured literacy, they lack the core essence of true OG instruction: the ability to be diagnostic and prescriptive, meeting each learner exactly where they are.

When you train with RIE, you’re training directly through the OGA. There’s no teacher manual or script—because your expertise becomes the guide. Our goal is for you to complete your training feeling empowered, confident, and deeply knowledgeable about what your students need—not what a manual dictates. With RIE, we want you to be smarter than the manual :)

There are two introductory trainings to begin your journey with the Orton-Gillingham Academy. You can either participate in the Classroom Educator (35 hours) or the Associate Level (70 hours). Wondering the difference between the two? Check out additional frequently asked questions below!

*The Classroom Educator  course is NOT a prerequisite to the Associate. The Classroom Educator course is a stand alone course. CE coursework hours do no apply toward Associate Level training.

The Classroom Educator level is a 35 hour training that focuses on the fundamental principles of the OG approach. Participants will engage in understanding the characteristics of the dyslexic learner as well as learn about specific strategies, procedures, and lesson planning for teaching those whom reading and spelling does not come easy. This training primarily prepares participants to provide and adapt literacy instruction for the whole class or for small groups needing supplemental support  in a general education setting. Students with greater deficits in reading will need more intensive instruction delivered by a practitioner trained at the Associate level or above. 

The Classroom Educator course is a stand alone course. CE coursework hours do no apply toward Associate Level training.

The Associate level is a 70 hour course that also covers all fundamental principles, strategies, and procedures of the OG approach. Additionally, in this course, participants are able to take a deeper dive into systematic and explicit instruction with vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, morphology, and more. This training is intended for practitioners working with struggling readers of all ages, including those with dyslexia, in individual or group settings. The Associate practitioner is not certified to provide OGA training or supervision.

Classroom Educator: $850

Associate Level: $1,500

Fee includes cost of full training, printed and shipped course notebook, a digital copy of the first chapter of "The Perfect Word", and unlimited access to hundreds of digital resources. 

Following the completion of an OG training, you will be awarded with a certificate of completion. However, in order to become a certified member of the OGA, you will need to complete the practicum.

The Classroom Educator practicum consists of a minimum of 50 hours (OG lessons) with a small group over a minimum of 8 consecutive months. Throughout your 50 lessons, you will complete 5 observations with the Fellow. Following the completion of your practicum, a formal application will be submitted to the OGA.

The Associate practicum consists of a minimum of100 hours (OG lessons) 1:1 over a minimum of 8 consecutive months. Throughout your 100 lessons, you will complete 10 observations with the Fellow. Additional tasks are required. For example, required readings, a student profile (similar to a case study), and the submission of 3 lessons to the OGA. Following the completion of your practicum, a formal application will be submitted to the OGA.

Classroom Educator: $200 per observation x 5 observations

Associate Level: $250 per observation x10 observations

Classroom Educator: $850 for coursework $200 per observation x 5 observations = $1,850.

Associate Level: $1,500 for coursework and $250 per observation x10 observations = $4,000.

Yes! All trainings and practicum observations/feedback are completed via Zoom.