Latest in reading, language techniques coming to JU students after renowned OGI training held on campus

Some of the latest methods in reading and language education will now be available to JU students after the School of Education and Brooks Rehabilitation College of Heathcare Sciences recently hosted world-renowned Ron Yoshimoto Orton-Gillingham International (OGI) training.

The week-long training earlier this month was sponsored by GRASP Academy, a public choice school offered by Duval County Public Schools. It was conducted by Ron Yoshimoto and attended by 30 educators, including GRASP Academy teachers, staff and administrators; JU’s Dr. Tammy Ryan, Associate Professor of Reading Education; and JU’s Dr. Robin Edge, Assistant Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Through action-oriented learning, role playing and peer coaching, participants acquired skill in using OGI, a data-driven, multi-sensory structured, language-based method to design and implement lessons in classrooms, small groups and one-on-one instruction appropriate for K-12, college and adult learners. The method is proven successful with all learners, but specifically with those struggling with language-based challenges such as dyslexia. OGI’s method is structured and sequential, and uses best teaching practices, moving from the concrete to abstract. OGI-trained teachers are proficient in assessing language needs, and in designing, implementing and adjusting interventions per learner needs.

Dr. Ryan said she plans to immediately include OGI methods into reading endorsement courses and the master’s of reading education degree program offered through the School of Education so pre-service and in-serve teachers are better equipped to work with students showing signs of dyslexia.

“For too many years, teacher preparation programs across this nation have lacked inclusion of this important method in coursework. Now after OGI training, I can provide courses to prepare highly qualified teachers of reading to diagnose oral-language based needs and implement a multisensory language-based program so more K-12 students are successful, confident readers and writers,” she said.

Dr. Edge plans to incorporate the training into the speech language pathology program.

“As language and literacy deficits often co-occur in students, I plan to use my OGI training to simultaneously treat language and literacy disorders. In my clinical career, I’ve seen many students who fail to qualify for traditional speech and language therapy in the schools, even though they are reading multiple grade levels below their chronological age. I hope to use my OGI training to start summer and after-school language and literacy programs to boost these students’ language and reading skills.”

During the upcoming 2015-16 academic year, Ryan and Edge will team to investigate the method for teaching and learning and report findings in articles and conferences.

After 40 hours of training and demonstration of skill in designing lessons that incorporate the OGI method, participants received the OGI certificate from GRASP Academy Principal Amanda Sauer.

Special visitors during the week included Duval County Public School Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti and Rachel Vitti, who visited training sessions to observe how the OGI method will transform instruction to positively affect K-12 student’s reading development. Participants demonstrated ways to integrate the method into all subject areas and across the week received more than 6,000 resources, which included worksheets, assessments and DVDs, focusing on phonemic awareness, decoding, syllabication rules and generalizations, vocabulary and spelling.

For more information about the OGI training contact Drs. Ryan or Edge. To learn more about GRASP Academy, contact Principal Amanda Sauer.

— Dr. Tammy Ryan, Associate Professor of Reading Education