Current Course Schedule

The Essential Orton-Gillingham

The Orton-Gillingham method of teaching decoding, spelling, and handwriting is a multisensory approach that has been used successfully with children who experience difficulty learning these skills. This course trains you in Orton-Gillingham-based techniques using the PAF Reading Program (formerly known as Preventing Academic Failure Reading Program), which is research based and well suited for use in a variety of educational settings. You will leave with an in-depth understanding of the specifics of an Orton-Gillingham approach to teaching reading and you will learn how to incorporate this methodology into your practice. This is a fast-paced, intensive class intended for experienced educators who have familiarity with the different components of learning to read, including decoding, fluency, and comprehension. Your prior knowledge of these concepts will serve as the foundation to learn this multisensory approach to the teaching of reading. Direct all questions to cps@bankstreet.edu.

Required text included: Preventing Academic Failure by Phyllis Bertin and Eileen Perlman (Monroe Associates Publishers).

Term(s) offered: Fall, Spring and Summer
Format: Online (fall and spring, summer)*  Additional asynchronous work required; On-campus (summer)
Materials Fee: On-campus $120; Online $140
  • Course Number
    SPED585N
  • Focus On
    Grades 1 - 6
  • Category
    Childhood / Elementary School, Credit-bearing Courses, Middle School / Early Adolescence, Online
  • Registration Options and Cost
    $830 24.0 CTLE or 2.4 CEU
    $3,736 2.0 Credits
    $145 Materials fee

Sections

Spring 2025

  • Section 1:
    Date(s)
    March 1, 2, 8, 9, and 13| Online
    Day and Time
    Sundays, Saturdays, and Thursday (7 sessions) Sundays-March 2 and 9, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM and 6:00–9:00 PM ET
    Saturdays-March 1 and 8, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM ET, and
    Thursday- March 13, 6:00-9:00 PM ET
    Registration Deadline
    Feb 22, 2025
    Register
    • Virginia O'Hare Perrin
      Virginia O'Hare Perrin
      is the Director of Outreach at the Mary McDowell Friends School in Brooklyn, NY, an elementary school for children with learning disabilities. In addition, she has an extensive private tutoring practice using multi-sensory methodologies.  Ms. O’Hare has an MSEd in Special Education from Bank Street College and a BA in Child Psychology and Education from Swarthmore College.

I came away with "The ability to understand and teach the PAF model."

"The class was great at showing me what I need to do to really help the struggling readers I work with."

I came away with "Basic global understanding and some detailed understanding of the Orton Gillingham approach, specific skills and the means to improve and apply them."

"The awareness that students in the class may not be able to adapt the philosophy in its entirety, and the push to consider what parts might be possible, was quite welcome. I enjoyed the mix of videos, readings, and hands-on activities as asynchronous work."