Structured Literacy Certification Process

Structured Literacy Certification 

Ohio Revised Code 3319.078 requires districts to establish a Structured Literacy Certification process for teachers providing instruction in kindergarten through third grade. Districts determine locally which educators will become certified through this process. The certification process must align with Ohio’s Dyslexia Guidebook.  

UPDATE: District leaders and educators may consider using this Structured Literacy Guidance Document: Planning and Auditing Tool for District Leaders and Educators which includes guidance and a checklist of items to consider when establishing a structured literacy certification process.

Certification Pathways 

Ohio law defines appropriate certification as either certification at a certified level, or higher, from a research-based structured literacy program or any other certification as recognized by a majority vote of the Ohio dyslexia committee.

This includes, but is not limited to, the following pathways recognized by a majority vote of the Ohio dyslexia committee. This Appropriate Certification document from the Ohio Dyslexia Committee provides more information on these pathways.  

  • Completion of an independent training program or higher education program accredited by the International Dyslexia Association at the Accreditation Plus level.  Note that programs with Accreditation Plus status include coursework, practicum, and an exam.
  • Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist Certification or Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist Alternate Route Certification from the Center for Effective Reading Instruction 
  • Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist Certification or Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist Alternate Route Certification from the Center for Effective Reading Instruction 
  • Certified Academic Language Practitioner from the Academic Language Therapy Association 
  • Certified Academic Language Therapist from the Academic Language Therapy Association 
  • Completion of an International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council (IMSLEC) accredited program. 
  • Completion of an independent training program or higher education program accredited by the International Dyslexia Association at the Accreditation level, in addition to completing a practicum provided by an accredited provider and passing the Knowledge and Practice Examination for Effective Reading Instruction (KPEERI). Further details and specifications for these three components can be found on this template, which will be used to document completion.
    • Note about this option: This process and form is for educators who already have completed significant work in structured literacy knowledge building and teaching but do not have the full training from an International Dyslexia Association-Accreditation Plus organization. This may be because their training was completed prior to the International Dyslexia Association introducing the Accreditation Plus status or they had a unique set of circumstances (significant prior training) that allowed them to complete an Accreditation Plus practicum without the connected coursework (typically not allowed). Individuals must complete the coursework, practicum and exam, as described below, to meet the certification requirement. Please use the template provided on page 2 to submit documentation of completion of all three components to the district.  
    • Note about practicums: It is recommended individuals beginning their certification journeys complete one of the International Dyslexia Association-Accreditation Plus trainings (all of these include coursework and a connected practicum). Practicums have specific coursework that is connected to their practicum experience. It may be most efficient to do a connected coursework and practicum option, all of which are included on the Accreditation Plus list. 

Last Modified: 2/11/2025 1:44:22 PM