Please note: IDA Ontario does not endorse or recommend any specific programs. We provide this list to help you find training options but each person must do their own research to find a training option that meets their needs.
The Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI), a subsidiary organization of IDA, offers professional certificates and certifications to qualified individuals teaching and supporting reading in public and private general, remedial, and special education settings. These certificates/certifications all require successfully passing the CERI Knowledge and Practice Examination for Effective Reading Instruction (KPEERI exam).
These certificates and certifications include:
- Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher Knowledge Certificate
- Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist Certification
- Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist Certification
All three certificates/certifications require passing the KPEERI exam.
The Interventionist and Specialist certifications also require successful completion of an approved IDA Accredited Training Progam (with course work and practicum requirements).
There are only a few IDA Accredited Training Progams/Instructors in Canada:
- Individual trainers ("Fellows") from the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (search for "Canada" under location).
- NILD Canada (National Institute for Learning Development).
There are also ONLINE training options from IDA accreditated training programs (see "Online courses" below on this webpage)
Note that "alternate route" Interventionist and Specialist certifications are now available for people who can document equivalent training and experience.
All CERI certificate and certification holders are knowledgeable about the following essential concepts, aligned with the IDA's Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading:
- language and reading development
- the structure of language
- how to recognize and intervene on behalf of reading difficulties
- how to utilize screening, diagnostic, and progress monitoring measures to support the attainment of improved reading outcomes
- how to plan, deliver, and manage the provision of systematic, explicit, cumulative reading and writing lessons
- the importance of upholding ethical professional practices
The Knowledge and Practice Examination for Effective Reading Instruction (KPEERI), formerly the Certification Examination for Effective Reading Instruction (CEERI), measures an educator’s knowledge of the principles and practices of Structured Literacy. If you would like to take the exam in order to get the Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher Knowledge Certificate, discuss your goals with your trainer provider to ensure the training will align with the exam and certificate requirements.
IDA accredited University Teacher Training/Preparation programs
Click here to see a list of IDA accredited University Teacher Training programs, but note that there are currently no IDA accredited university teacher training programs being offered in Canada.
Click here for information on how university teacher preparation programs can apply for IDA Accreditation.
IDA Accredited Training Programs
(Click here to read more about IDA Accredited Training Programs)
AIM Institute for Learning & Research® PATHWAYS to Proficient Reading - Literacy Instruction in a Revolutionary Platform.
AIM PATHWAYS™ provides easy to access, evidence-based learning opportunities for teachers to benefit struggling readers. AIM PATHWAYS™ is a research-driven, digitally-delivered learning tool that teachers can learn, practice, and apply in their classrooms. The program puts diagnostic and prescriptive tools at your fingertips with on-demand, mobile-friendly access, and connects you with IDA Knowledge and Practice Standards. Future courses on Structured Literacy (OG approach), writing, comprehension, and assessment are in development.
LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling)
LETRS professional development is now available online. LETRS addresses the structures of the English language, the cognitive processes of learning to read, and the teaching practices have proven to be most effective in preventing and remediating reading difficulties, including dyslexia.
The Reading Teacher's Top Ten Tools
This is an online program (approximately 40-45h) that consists of 10 "Tools": Knowledge, Oral Language, Phonemes, Phonics and Spelling, Vocabulary, Comprehension, Fluency, Writing, Read Alouds, and Collaboration. There is also a version of the course, with additional requirements, that has been accreditated by the IDA. Developed by Dr. Deb Glaser, an author and co-author of the LETRS© Modules, Foundations: An Introduction to Language and Literacy (L. Moats) and ParaReading: A Training Guide for Tutors. Other publications include Reading Fluency: Understanding and Teaching this Complex Skill (with Dr. Jan Hasbrouck) and Next STEPS in Literacy Instruction: Connecting Assessment to Effective Interventions (with Susan Smartt, PhD).
Other training
Basics of Decoding and Spelling Instruction by IDA Ontario.
This is a 5 unit on-demand course that provides instruction on how to teach decoding and spelling so that all students can learn to read and spell! It includes how to teach basic and complex phonics, spelling, strategies for reading and spelling multi-syllable words, and basic morphology - these are all elements of the Word Recognition strand of Scarborough's Reading Rope.
Introduction to Structured Literacy Instruction hosted by IDA Ontario.
This 10-month course involves the study of the online Top 10 Tools for Reading Teachers with monthly coaching meetings.
The Science of Reading Short Course
A short course (10 hours) on the Science of Reading. It was developed by a coalition of reading experts to give practitioners critical information about what comprises the reading process and lays a solid conceptual and practical foundation for how to teach reading.
MindPlay Comprehensive Reading Course For Educators
A 40-45 hour in-depth professional development course (with a downloadable manual) that provides a series of modules with activities and expert videos to increase educators' understanding of how to provide instruction in:
-
- Phonological awareness
- Reading and spelling development
- Phonics fundamentals for reading and spelling
- Advanced phonics concepts
- Fluency
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Reading comprehension
Access to the content is available for 1 year.
The Online Elementary Reading Academy, based on the science of reading, takes the best of CORE’s nationally acclaimed Teaching Reading Sourcebook and packages it into a facilitated, seven-module asynchronous, online course. The course teaches educators the five essential components of reading instruction with clear and explicit models immediately applicable to the classroom.
Cox Campus Education Courses for K-3
This includes 7 free short courses (1-2.5h each) including topics such as early literacy, systematic and explicit phonics instruction, meaingful read-alouds, targeted small group instruction, and student assessment.
Neuhaus Education Center offers a number of online literacy courses. They also offer an online Literacy Interventionist Program that is IDA accredited (with a practicum).
Project Read (Language Circle Enterprises)
Project Read is a language arts curriculum that includes phonics & linguistics, reading comprehension, and written expression. They offer live and recorded webinars for each of these strands.
Reading Rockets 101 A Guide to Teaching Reading & Writing
Reading 101 is a free, self-paced professional development course for K-3 teachers, developed by Reading Rockets. The program provides teachers with an in-depth knowledge of reading and writing so they are prepared to guide their students into becoming skilled and enthusiastic readers and writers. Modules include print awareness, phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, spelling, comprehension, writing, and assessment.
There are many opportunities to learn more about Structured Literacy.
Check out:
- Upcoming IDA Ontario webinars and other events
- Previous IDA Ontario webinars
- Previous IDA Ontario workshops
- Other organizations that offer information, training, and conferences include:
- The Reading League (including a Youtube channel)
- AIM Institute Access to the Experts Series (many are available via live-streaming)
- AIM Institute Annual Symposium (live-streaming available; recorded sessions from previous symposiums are also available)
- Reading Rockets (including a Youtube channel)
- Understood.org
- International Dyslexia Association (IDA) webinars
- IDA Upper Mid-West Branch webinars (upcoming and previous)
- IDA Southern California Tri-Council Branch webinars