Course description
The course will describe contemporary and advanced, evidence-based approaches to assessment and intervention in emergent literacy, reading, and writing disorders across populations. Culturally relevant and responsive practices will be discussed throughout the course. The online session learning will involve interactive lectures interspersed with small group case-study discussions, problem-solving, and sharing by learners.
Evaluation will consist of:
- one research-to-practice reflection (one page in length);
- two assessment summaries (one page in length each);
- brief learning reflections at the end of each module; and
Simone Klann
During the Independent-Learning Module, participants will be given time to review and reflect on assigned readings, and relate them to their current practice.
In the Application to Practice Modules, learners will have time to apply their learning to their practice as they conduct assessments, develop intervention plans, and complete intervention sessions. The participants will deliver a minimum of four intervention sessions, tracking student progress and adjusting their session plans in response to their students’ strengths and needs.
After each lecture, learners will be asked to review their lecture notes along with the assigned readings and complete a brief learning reflection (maximum 250 words in length).
Kim Lawlor
Course Prerequisites
Course Readings
Readings will be provided during the course.
Course Requirements
To receive a Certificate of Course Completion, all learners must:
- attend all sessions or provide a physician’s note for missing a lecture or an assignment due date;
- come prepared to participate in large and small group discussions;
- complete all assessments and interventions with a target student; and
- participants must pass all 5 assignments described in this syllabus.
NOTE: Learners who do not complete the course requirements will need to complete a remedial assignment. You must submit in writing any requests for re-evaluation to the course instructor.
Course Prerequisites
- Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Speech-Language Pathology
- good standing with their provincial/state regulatory body
- minimum of two years of practice with school-age children (i.e., age 5 to 18 years) with a variety of speech and language needs
- access to a Grade 1 or older student with difficulties in emergent literacy, reading, and writing
- access to emergent literacy, reading, and writing assessment tools
- familiarity with the Ministry of Education’s curricular documents
CEEs
- This workshop is eligible for 51 SAC CEEs.
About the instructors
Jana Leggett, MHSc
Jana is a speech-language pathologist with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). She works directly with students completing language and literacy assessments and running intervention groups. Part of her role includes collaborative work with the TDSB’s Early Years Department in developing and delivering professional learning to system senior teams, school administrators, educators, and parents in the areas of language and literacy development, assessment, instruction, and intervention. Jana holds an appointment with the University of Toronto where she teaches an undergraduate course, Reading and Literacy Disorders, and co-teaches in a graduate course, School Age Language Intervention. She is the co-author of Oral Language at Your Finger Tips and the author and instructor of the Accredited Continued Education Course, Advanced Literacy Practices, for speech-language pathologists.
Sherry Raffalovitch, MHSc
Registration Fees
| Membership | Early Bird | Regular |
|---|---|---|
| SAC Members* | $1699 | $1799 |
| ASHA Members** | $1699 | $1799 |
| Non-Members | $2339 | $2439 |
*SAC Members
- are required to be a current member at the time of the course to receive the member rate.
- Sign in at the top of the registration page to receive the member rate.
**ASHA Members
- are required to provide proof of ASHA membership.
- Must email events@sac-oac.ca for details to receive a promo code.
10% Group Discount for Groups of Five or More
- Register five or more colleagues to attend the Advanced Literacy Practices: Making it Happen! virtual workshop and receive a 10% discount on the total registration cost.
- To qualify for the discount, you must be from the same organization.
- Email events@sac-oac.ca for details to receive a promo code.
Cancellation Policy
- An administration fee of $75 will apply to all refunds.
Requests for refunds must be received by December 16, 2025. - No refunds after December 16, 2025.
- Please email events@sac-oac.ca to request a refund.
Registration Deadline: January 8, 2026
Objectives
Speech-language pathologists will:
- be able to utilize and apply their knowledge and understanding of the science of reading in their clinical work to improve assessment, goal selection and intervention to improve client outcomes;
- understand the reciprocity that exists between oral and written language to better understand how various linguistic and literacy skills influence and impact each other;
- apply advances in research-to-practice and culturally responsive literature to the assessment and intervention of language and literacy disorders;
- develop integrative knowledge of evidence-based intervention practices that are explicit, systematic, and linked to the curriculum;
- develop and apply critical thinking skills when selecting, evaluating, and interpreting assessment and intervention materials and tools;
- apply their knowledge in authentic, job-embedded situations (i.e., assessment, intervention, consultation); and
- engage in reflective practice to evaluate and amend their learning as needed throughout the course.
