All students ─ but especially struggling readers and students with dyslexia ─ benefit from structured literacy instruction that explicitly teaches language skills and the essential components of reading. It is also important that all teachers be able to recognize characteristics of dyslexia and know strategies that will help their students.

In this video, Emily Hanford of APM Reports discusses with EdWeek the findings of her research on how children learn and are taught to read. 

These state-by-state resources for teacher training on dyslexia and evidence-based reading instruction include training in the essential components of reading, structured literacy instruction, and approaches like Orton-Gillingham developed specifically for individuals with dyslexia. Most are appropriate for elementary classroom teachers and reading interventionists at all levels.

This list is provided for informational purposes only; inclusion is not an endorsement from SREB. This page will be updated as we learn of new training for classroom educators, interventionists, and administrators. If you know of an opportunity that should be included, please email Samantha Durrance with details.

ALL STATES: FREE ONLINE TRAINING

Achieve the Core

A 7-part mini-course offers educators the opportunity to learn how phonological awareness and phonics connect to early reading. Topics include phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency and assessment.

Alabama Scottish Rite Foundation

Three pre-recorded webinars and a variety of live, interactive webinars (upon request) include information on dyslexia screening, dyslexia intervention, classroom accommodations and assistive technology, and best practices for Response to Intervention/Problem Solving Team processes.

Arkansas Educational Television Network

This 40-minute online video provides an overview of the characteristics of dyslexia, how dyslexia fits into RTI and special education evaluation processes, and the importance of screening and early intervention.

Colorado Department of Education

The Colorado Department of Education currently offers open access to video-based online course modules covering noted researcher David Kilpatrick’s Assessing, Preventing, and Overcoming Reading Difficulties. 

Consortium on Reaching Excellence in Education (CORE)

CORE currently has a free 1-hour webinar called Understanding Dyslexia: How to Identify, Prevent and Remediate Word Level Reading Difficulties. Participants will learn best practices for screening for, identifying and supporting students struggling with dyslexia.

Cox Campus – Atlanta Speech School

The Atlanta Speech School provides birth to elementary programs for children with speech, dyslexia and other language-based disorders. Its Cox Campus is an online portal that provides resources and free video courses on building children’s language, reading and writing skills.

Dyslexia and Literacy International

Dyslexia and Literacy International provides a free online training course to help teachers identify dyslexia and learn about best practices for teaching literacy to children who struggle with reading and writing. The course is scientifically-based and offered in a Massively Open Online Course (MOOC) format via the website Coursera. The initial version of the course was presented at the UNESCO-sponsored 2010 World Dyslexia Forum, and it has since been adapted into a teacher training program by the Belgian Ministry of Education.

Friday Institute for Educational Innovation

This free online MOOC is available twice per year. It covers foundational reading skills with the goal of preparing teachers to equip students in grades K–3 with the skills they need to become successful readers.

Microsoft, in partnership with Made By Dyslexia

In January 2019 Microsoft published five dyslexia awareness video modules. The modules seek to empower teachers and parents to understand and recognize dyslexia and work toward inclusive classrooms for students with dyslexia.

Reading Rockets

In collaboration with the Center for Effective Reading Instruction and the International Dyslexia Association, Reading Rockets offers free online course modules that present some of the core information teachers need to help young children learn to read and write well and to support children who struggle. The modules cover topics that include print awareness, phonological and phonemic awareness, fluency and spelling.

South Carolina Department of Education

The South Carolina Department of Education produced three professional development modules intended for kindergarten through third grade teachers, interventionists and coaches. The modules are publicly available and cover what dyslexia is, how screenings can identify it, and evidence-based instruction for students with dyslexia.

Virginia Department of Education

The Virginia Department of Education created a publicly available dyslexia awareness module for all K-12 educators. The module covers characteristics of dyslexia, evidence-based interventions and accommodations for students with dyslexia, and screening for students with reading problems.

ALABAMA

Alabama Scottish Rite Foundation

Birmingham

The Alabama Scottish Rite Foundation offers free professional development for educators and administrators through three pre-recorded webinars and a variety of live, interactive webinars (upon request). The webinar topics include dyslexia screening, dyslexia intervention, classroom accommodations and assistive technology, and best practices for RTI/PST processes.

For more information, visit www.alsrlcenter.org or call 205-957-2424.

ARKANSAS

The Apple Group

Jonesboro

The Apple Group provides school-wide dyslexia awareness workshops, a 45-hour course in structured literacy and reading intervention based on the Orton-Gillingham Approach, dyslexia therapist training, and other topic-specific training opportunities. The organization also offers opportunities for universities to train professors who can then teach teacher candidates how to provide scientifically based reading instruction to students.

For more information, visit www.applegroupdyslexia.com or call 870-530-2024.

GEORGIA

Georgia Educational Training Agency

Atlanta

The Georgia Educational Training Agency provides in-person professional development courses in science-based literacy practices and the Orton Gillingham method.

For more information, visit www.georgiaeta.com

Reading is Essential for All People (REAP)

Atlanta

Reading is Essential for All People is dedicated to improving reading proficiency in public school students through teacher training and enrichment. REAP funds and organizes free training and professional support for public school teachers in the foundations of reading instruction, using the Orton-Gillingham Approach. This approach is intended to be integrated and used as a supplement to what the school system and teacher are already using.

For more information, visit www.readingisessential.org.

Dyslexia Resource Trust

Atlanta

The Dyslexia Resource Trust offers training in the Orton-Gillingham Approach, as well as in more nuanced topics like morphology and assessment. Some Atlanta-area schools and districts have partnered with the Dyslexia Resource Trust to provide large-scale training sessions for their teachers.

For more information, visit www.dyslexiaresource.org or call 404-419-1064.

MISSISSIPPI

Barksdale Reading Institute

Oxford and Jackson

The Barksdale Reading Institute provides training to educators across Mississippi through professional development modules that address the five components of reading, scientifically-based reading instruction, and skill-based reading assessment. The modules are offered through Regional Education Service Agencies and can also be requested by districts.

For more information, visit www.msreads.org or call 662-236-5600 (Oxford office) or 601-965-8002 (Jackson office).

DuBard School for Language Disorders

Hattiesburg

In addition to more intensive courses intended for dyslexia specialists and therapists, the DuBard School offers professional development courses designed for general education teachers and reading specialists. These courses equip educators to teach the five essential components of reading and integrate multisensory strategies into their instruction.

For more information, visit www.usm.edu/dubard or call 601-266-5223.

NORTH CAROLINA

The Hill Center

Durham

In addition to more intensive programs for dyslexia specialists and therapists, The Hill Center also offers in-person workshops and online courses designed for general education teachers and administrators. It is one of eight professional development programs recognized by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for improving reading. 

For more information, visit www.hillcenter.org or call 919-489-7464.

OKLAHOMA

Payne Education Center

Oklahoma City

In addition to more intensive programs for dyslexia specialists and therapists, the Payne Education Center also offers training on scientifically-based curricula and instructional strategies designed for general education teachers. Onsite informational and curriculum training workshops can also be arranged for schools.

For more information, visit www.payneeducationcenter.org or call 405-755-4205.

TENNESSEE

Tennessee Center for the Study and Treatment of Dyslexia

Murfreesboro

Middle Tennessee State University’s Center for Dyslexia offers professional development workshops that cover the basics of dyslexia and dyslexia interventions and accommodations, scientifically based reading instruction, and the use of assessment for students with reading difficulties.

For more information, visit www.mtsu.edu/dyslexia or call 615-494-8880.

TEXAS

June Shelton School and Evaluation Center

Dallas

In addition to more intensive programs for dyslexia specialists and therapists, the Shelton Teacher Training department offers training for educators on dyslexia screening and effective literacy instruction in the general education classroom. Online workshops on dyslexia and other topics are also available, as is the opportunity for customized training sessions.

For more information, visit www.shelton.org or call 972-774-1772.

Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia and Learning Disorders, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children

Dallas

The Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia and Learning Disorders offers seminars to assist educators in the understanding of dyslexia and the identification process within the public school setting, and dyslexia interventions developed at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.

For more information, contact the Center for Dyslexia at 214-559-7817 or 800-421-1121, ext. 7817.

Neuhaus Education Center

Houston

The Neuhaus Education Center provides training and support to educators and district leaders, both in person and in an online format. Neuhaus has provided professional development to teachers in many school districts across Texas, including districts in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Lufkin and Harlingen. In addition to in-person training courses, Neuhaus also offers training on many of its programs in an online format. Courses are self-paced and include the necessary materials for participants to apply their new knowledge in the classroom.

For more information, visit www.neuhaus.org or call 713-664-7676.

Rawson Saunders Institute

Austin

The Rawson Saunders Institute is a teacher training center and resource for those interested in learning research-based, multisensory approaches to teaching essential language and literacy skills. The Institute currently partners with Neuhaus Education Center to provide training in Neuhaus programs.

For more information, visit www.rawsonsaunders.org or call 512-476-8382.

 

ADVANCED TRAINING

For those looking to obtain certification to work more intensively with students with dyslexia, a number of accredited programs exist across the SREB region.

Independent Teacher Training Programs in the SREB Region Accredited by the International Dyslexia Association
Program Name and Type of Training	Location
Orton-Gillingham, Greengate School	Huntsville, AL
Wilson Language Level 1, Susan Boros Sentell & Associates	Palm City, FL
Orton-Gillingham, The Schenck School	Atlanta, GA
Wilson Language Level 1, Ava White Academy and Tutorials	Gainesville, GA
Courses at the Atlantic Seaboard Dyslexia Education Center	Rockville, MD
Dyslexia Therapy Program, Mississippi College	Clinton, MS
DuBard Association Method, The DuBard School at University of Southern Mississippi	Hattiesburg, MS
Orton-Gillingham, The Key School at Carolina Day School	Asheville, NC
Orton-Gillingham, Camp Spring Creek	Bakersville, NC
Hill Professional Education Program, The Hill Center	Durham, NC
Orton-Gillingham Multisensory Structured Language Teacher Training, Greenhills School	Winston-Salem, NC
Orton-Gillingham, Center for Excellence & Innovation at Summit School	Winston-Salem, NC
Structured Multisensory Language Foundations, Payne Education Center	Oklahoma City, OK
Orton-Gillingham, Sandhills School	Columbia, SC
Orton-Gillingham, Camperdown Academy	Greenville, SC
Orton-Gillingham, Trident Academy	Mount Pleasant, SC
Simultaneous Multisensory Institute of Language Arts (SMILA)	Memphis, TN
Dyslexia Therapy Training Program, Rawson Saunders Institute	Austin, TX
Dyslexia Therapist Training Course, Scottish Rite Dyslexia Center of Austin	Austin, TX
Wilson Language Level 1, Region 13 Education Service Center	Austin, TX
Dyslexia Therapist Training Course, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children	Dallas, TX
Learning Therapist Certificate Program, Southern Methodist University	Dallas, TX
Courses at Literacy Education and Academic Development (LEAD)	Dallas, TX
Courses at June Shelton School and Evaluation Center	Dallas, TX
Dyslexia Specialist Preparation Program, Neuhaus Education Center	Houston, TX
Dyslexia Therapist Training Course, Scottish Rite Learning Center of West Texas	Lubbock, TX
Multisensory Integrated Reading and Composition, McKinney Christian Academy	McKinney, TX
Dyslexia Therapist Training Program, JPW Learning Center	San Angelo, TX
Dyslexia Therapist Training Program, Scottish Rite Learning Center of South Texas	San Antonio, TX
Orton-Gillingham, Riverside School	Richmond, VA
Courses at the National Institute for Learning Development	Suffolk, VA