School of Education
DEPARTMENTScertificate in Orton-Gillingham Reading
Intensive Phonics-based Instruction
The Orton-Gillingham reading approach incorporates intensive phonics-based instruction with specific teaching methodology. It is an approach often recommended for school-age and adult learners who are non-readers or who have reading or writing language skill disabilities. Teachers who have mastered this approach are most likely to become master teachers of other reading approaches.
The Orton-Gillingham approach is language-based, multi-sensory, structured, sequential, cumulative, cognitive, and flexible. Its breadth, perspective, and flexibility prompt use of the term approach instead of method. Special education professionals need to be prepared to:
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Address current literature and issues in special education.
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Implement appropriate identification and due-process standards.
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Design, field test and evaluate appropriate instructional strategies and methodologies.
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Provide direct service and consultation.
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Work as partners with families.
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Collaborate with professionals across disciplines.
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Collaborate with family agencies, community services and professional organizations.
St. Thomas prepares professional, effective teachers in special education with traditional coursework and a practicum in a real-world educational setting. Courses are conveniently scheduled late afternoons or evenings, summer days and summer evenings for working education professionals.
This certificate is offered to educators who have completed specific coursework and practicum experiences in the Orton-Gillingham approach. In order to qualify for this certificate, students complete four courses including a practicum experience. This work exposes students to more than 25 hours of classroom instruction in the Orton-Gillingham approach and 100 hours of supervised field experience. This certificate is not the equivalent of a Minnesota teaching license.
