Shelton admits learning-different students of any race, color, sex, religion, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national and ethnic origin in the administration of our educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Take Flight

Shelton Academic Reading Approach (SARA)

This course may be taken for graduate level credit as part of the required coursework for the Master of Arts in Teaching through Dallas Baptist University. Get more information about Degree Programs through DBU.

This course is taught at the Shelton School in Dallas, Texas. (map)

Contact Chris Bedenbaugh with questions or for more information.

Teaching Level Certification Coursework 

Learn more about the SARA program. (PDF)

Coursework and Practicum – $3600
All instructor materials needed to implement the program are included. Student materials are not included, however, during the training guidance is given in selecting and purchasing appropriate student materials.

Course Description: SARA addresses basic language skills for reading, writing and spelling. Participants are trained in the use of a multisensory structured language program for students with specific language disabilities such as dyslexia and related disorders. SARA is based on the Alphabetic Phonics approach and utilizes the Take Flight: A Comprehensive Intervention for Students with Dyslexia materials developed at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital.

This course satisfies all requirements at the Teaching Level and prepares the participant for the ALTA Registration Exam at the Dyslexia Practitioner Level.

Prerequisite: A Bachelor's degree is required for Teaching Level certification

 Dates/Times: IN-PERSON COURSE ONLY - Two Option Dates with scheduled follow-up dates listed below

  • Option 1: June 23 - 27, 2025
    DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS JUNE 9, 2025
    Remaining Dates for Option 1:
    • September 6, 2025
    • October 18, 2025
    • November 8, 2025
    • December 6, 2025
    • January 31, 2026
    • February 21, 2026
       
  • Option 2: July 14 - 18, 2025
    DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS JUNE 30, 2025
    Remaining Dates for Option 2:
    • September 4, 2025
    • October 9, 2025
    • November 6, 2025
    • December 4, 2025
    • January 15, 2026
    • February 5, 2026 
  • Written Language Skills Intervention for Students with Dyslexia (EDUC 5350)
    (Take Flight Based)
  • Theory to Practice
    (Take Flight based, DBU Course EDUC 5352)
    This course satisfies all requirements at the Teaching Level and prepares the participant for the ALTA Registration Exam at the Dyslexia Practitioner Level.
  • Teaching Level Practicum I (EDUC 6340)
    • Required for certification
    • 5 demonstration lessons (minimum)
    • 60 clinical teaching hours
    • Minimum 9-month period

Therapy Level Certification Coursework

Learn more about the SARA program. (PDF)

Coursework and Practicum – $3600
All instructor materials needed to implement the program are included. Student materials are not included, however, guidance is given in selecting and purchasing appropriate student materials.

Course Description: SARA addresses basic language skills for reading, writing and spelling. Participants are trained in the use of a multisensory structured language program for students with specific language disabilities such as dyslexia and related disorders. SARA is based on the Alphabetic Phonics approach and utilizes the Take Flight: A Comprehensive Intervention for Students with Dyslexia materials developed at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital.

This course satisfies all requirements at the Therapy Level and prepares the participant for the ALTA Registration Exam at the Dyslexia Therapist Level.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of SARA Teaching Level (SARA1)

  • Option 1: June 9 - 13, 2025
    DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS MAY 23, 2025
    Remaining Dates for Option 1:
    • September 6, 2025 - Neurological
    • September 20, 2025 - Asynchronous Class -online course - Organization & Study Skills
    • October 4, 2025 - Fluency & Comprehension
    • November 8, 2025 - Discipline/Classroom Management
    • December 6, 2025 - Structural Math
    • January 24, 2026 - History of Language
    • February 7, 2026 - Phonological Awareness & Oral Language
    • February 21, 2026 Asynchronous Class -online course - Social Skills
    • April 11, 2026 - Dyslexia Law & Composition
    • April 25, 2026 - MACAR/Child Development
       
  • Option 2: July 7 - 11, 2025
    DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS JUNE 27, 2025
    Remaining Dates for Option 2:
    • September 3, 2025 - Neurological
    • September 17, 2025 - Asynchronous Class -online course - Organization & Study Skills
    • October 4, 2025 - Fluency & Comprehension
    • November 8, 2025 - Discipline/Classroom Management
    • December 6, 2025 - Structural Math
    • January 24, 2026 - History of Language
    • February 7, 2026 - Phonological Awareness & Oral Language
    • February 21, 2026 Asynchronous Class -online course - Social Skills
    • April 11, 2026 - Dyslexia Law & Composition
    • April 25, 2026 - MACAR/Child Development

Therapeutic Implementation of Written Language Skills Intervention for Students with Dyslexia (EDUC 5351)
(Take Flight Based)
Prior to enrolling in this Therapy Level course, participants must have completed the corresponding Teaching Level course. This course satisfies all requirements at the Therapy Level and prepares the participant for the ALTA Registration Exam at the Dyslexia Therapist Level. The course will train participants in the therapeutic analysis of written language disorders. A master’s degree is recommended for Therapy Level Certification (by completion of the coursework and practicum.) Participants may choose to attend the six follow up days during the week or on Saturdays. 

  • Saturday Seminars
    • Fall 2024 Seminars - 5 Saturdays (8:30 am - 4:30 pm) 
      Classroom Management of the Learning DIfferent Student (EDUC 5342)
    • Spring 2025 Seminars - 5 Saturdays (8:30am - 5:30 pm) 
      Classroom Instruction of the Learning Different Student (EDUC 5343)

The Saturday Seminars are part of the Therapy Level coursework in Take Flight/SARA and are included in the Therapy Level course fee.View more information including session dates and times for the seminars

  • Therapy Level Practicum II (EDUC 6341)
    • Required for certification
    • 10 demonstration lessons (minimum)
    • 350 clinical teaching hours (minimum)
    • Minimum 2-year period
  • Diagnosing Learning-Different Children – Referral and Testing (DBU EDUC 5344)
    Participants must have bachelor’s degree. This course will provide an overview of the diagnostic criteria for Mixed Receptive-Expressive Language Disorder, Reading Disorder or dyslexia, and Developmental Coordination Disorder or dysgraphia, the most common learning disabilities, as well as ADHD, one of the most common behavioral difficulties. Participants will be taught the general guidelines for administering some of the psychoeducational tests used to evaluate these difficulties, will practice interpreting testing reports, and will learn what interventions are most appropriate for each disorder. Completion of this course would be part of a degree or licensure/certification plan, but would not qualify the participant to diagnose without further training.
    Course Instructor: Laure Ames, Ph.D.       

    • Option 1: June 2 - 6, 2025
      DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS MAY 16, 2025

    • Option 2: July 14 - 18, 2025
      DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS JUNE 30, 2025

This course may be taken for graduate level credit as part of the required coursework for the Master of Arts in Teaching through Dallas Baptist University. Get more information about Degree Programs through DBU.

IDAHO Take Flight Training 

Learn more about the SARA program. (PDF)

Take Flight

Shelton Academic Reading Approach (SARA)

This course may be taken for graduate level credit as part of the required coursework for the Master of Arts in Teaching through Dallas Baptist University. Get more information about Degree Programs through DBU.

This course is taught at the Shelton School in Dallas, Texas. (map)

Contact Chris Bedenbaugh with questions or for more information.

Teaching Level Certification Coursework 

Learn more about the SARA program. (PDF)

Coursework and Practicum – $3600
All instructor materials needed to implement the program are included. Student materials are not included, however, during the training guidance is given in selecting and purchasing appropriate student materials.

Course Description: SARA addresses basic language skills for reading, writing and spelling. Participants are trained in the use of a multisensory structured language program for students with specific language disabilities such as dyslexia and related disorders. SARA is based on the Alphabetic Phonics approach and utilizes the Take Flight: A Comprehensive Intervention for Students with Dyslexia materials developed at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital.

This course satisfies all requirements at the Teaching Level and prepares the participant for the ALTA Registration Exam at the Dyslexia Practitioner Level.

Prerequisite: A Bachelor's degree is required for Teaching Level certification

 Dates/Times: IN-PERSON COURSE ONLY - Training dates with scheduled follow-up dates listed below

  • Training Begins: July 22-26, 2024
    DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS JULY 8, 2024
    Remaining Training Dates:
    • September 7, 2024
    • October 19, 2024
    • November 9, 2024
    • December 7, 2024
    • January 25, 2025
    • February 8, 2025
       

Therapeutic Implementation of Written Language Skills Intervention for Students with Dyslexia (EDUC 5351)
(Take Flight Based)
Prior to enrolling in this Therapy Level course, participants must have completed the corresponding Teaching Level course. This course satisfies all requirements at the Therapy Level and prepares the participant for the ALTA Registration Exam at the Dyslexia Therapist Level. The course will train participants in the therapeutic analysis of written language disorders. A master’s degree is recommended for Therapy Level Certification (by completion of the coursework and practicum.) Participants may choose to attend the six follow up days during the week or on Saturdays. 

  • Saturday Seminars
    • TBA 2025

The Saturday Seminars are part of the Therapy Level coursework in Take Flight/SARA and are included in the Therapy Level course fee.View more information including session dates and times for the seminars

  • Diagnosing Learning-Different Children – Referral and Testing (DBU EDUC 5344)
    Participants must have bachelor’s degree. This course will provide an overview of the diagnostic criteria for Mixed Receptive-Expressive Language Disorder, Reading Disorder or dyslexia, and Developmental Coordination Disorder or dysgraphia, the most common learning disabilities, as well as ADHD, one of the most common behavioral difficulties. Participants will be taught the general guidelines for administering some of the psychoeducational tests used to evaluate these difficulties, will practice interpreting testing reports, and will learn what interventions are most appropriate for each disorder. Completion of this course would be part of a degree or licensure/certification plan, but would not qualify the participant to diagnose without further training.
    Course Instructor: Laure Ames, Ph.D.  
    • Dates
      • TBA 2025