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
    $125 Materials fee

Sections

Summer 2 2025

  • Section 1:
    Date(s)
    July 14, 15, 16, 17 | Onsite*
    Day and Time
    Monday - Thursday from 9:00 AM -4:30 PM ET *Held at Bank Street College| 610 West 112th Street, New York, NY 10025
    Registration Deadline
    Jul 7, 2025
    Register
    • Debbie Zlotowitz
      Debbie Zlotowitz
      Debbie Zlotowitz, SAS, is the Head of the Mary McDowell Friends School, a K-12 independent school for students with learning disabilities in Brooklyn, NY. Ms. Zlotowitz has a SAS from Bank Street College, an MS in Exceptional Education with additional certification in Reading  from Buffalo and a BA in Speech Pathology and Audiology from the University College of Buffalo.  In 2014, Debbie received a Recognition Award from the Bank Street College Alumni Association.
  • Section 2:
    Date(s)
    August 13, 14, 15, and 17 | Online
    Day and Time
    Wednesday-Sunday Wednesday, 9am-12pm and 6pm-9pm Thursday, 9am-12pm and 6pm-9pm Friday, 9am-12pm Sunday, 9am-12pm and 6pm-9pm
    Registration Deadline
    Aug 6, 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."