The Professional Development Center (PDC) is the outreach agent of the School of Education and Human Development (SEHD) of the University of Southern Maine. Our mission is to provide innovative and sustained professional development that enables PK-12 educators and school communities to serve the needs of their students.
Course Registration
To request to register for PDS 623, please complete the form at the following link:
Request to Register (Google form)
Course Descriptions
PDS 623 Dyslexia Remediation
This course prepares educators to use the Orton-Gillingham reading instruction method with students identified with dyslexia and related reading challenges. This is a year-long course that begins and ends at the start of each summer. Participants attend focused seminars during the summer to learn the history and science of reading disorders, effective instructional practices, and Orton-Gillingham instructional procedures. During the following school year, participants complete a required 100-hour practicum during which they apply their learning by providing twice-weekly after-school tutoring for students with dyslexia at the Portland (Maine) Children’s Dyslexia Center. Upon successful completion of the course, participants earn the Children’s Dyslexia Centers’ Dyslexia Practitioner 1 Certification.
Dates: August 31, 2026 – April 30, 2027
Class meetings: TBA
Format/Location: Online / Asynchronous
Instructor: Barbara Labrecque
Credit: 6 graduate credits
Prerequisites: none
Tuition/Fees: See the Student Financial Services (SFS) Tuition page and contact SFS with any questions
Audience: Educators in school settings
Questions?
Contact the PDC at pdc@maine.edu or 207-780-5400.