Institute of Reading DevelopmentReviews of readingprograms.org

I'm use to paying substantial amounts for my son's private dyslexia, so $350 for six lessons didn't seem outrageous cost at all. And, his instructor was very good. When I registered, the representative suggested I stay in the sessions with my child, to learn tips on how to work with him at home. I also sit with him during the online sessions - I learned too! Doing those two things, plus reading the books too, helped my son get most out of the course. I also like that the online sessions are available for six months, so we can go back through and recap. Overall, quite happy with the program.

My child started in the third grade class. The teacher was professional and on top of everything. After the class, the teacher thought it would be better for our child to be placed in a fourth grade reading class. The fourth grade books are really great and my son enjoyed the books and the learning. We went over the online lessons with together. We found the explanations on how to decode longer words to be quite helpful, even for us adults.

I was so disappointed with the program I enrolled my 7 year old in. My child is entering second grade and while we did the work during the week, what impacts a child is the in class time. The first session started 40 minutes late because the teacher did not show up and then couldn’t get access to the building. This time was not offered to be made up, unless we wanted to do an online make up class which is not the same as the in class time. The last class we were given a sub who showed up 20 min late. At the last class you are supposed to have a time where the teacher talks to you on how your child did over the 6 week period. Given that the sub had no clue how my child progressed, this was worthless. The time was not offered to be made up and once again was just lost. The program is expensive and when you call to discuss issues you are given the run around. Please use your money on a private tutor and do not waste it on this program.

My daughter went to an Indianapolis based class. The gist of her (2nd grade) level class was as follows: * Drop her off at class, where they did what appeared to be a single written exercise a week, as well as recap * Pick her up, and 4 times a week help her read through a book, and do some associated lessons the program website While she did make some incremental progress in the class through the week, the teacher participation and value seemed low. I think that most of the value we got from the class came from direct participation on our parts, rather than participation in the Institute's program. Aside from the technical aspects of the program, I largely found the interaction with the company to be poor. The first and last classes we experienced in the month long program started about 15-20 minutes late as we awaited the arrival of the teacher. On the last class we only discovered at the 20 minute mark that the teacher that had been attending was replaced by a sub ( who had travelled from out of state ). While I'm not upset about the use of a sub ( things happen! ), I am upset that the company failed us parents in communicating changes, and failed the sub in providing adequate directions for reaching the class and communicating the situation with the parents. When I was researching the class, I saw some middling reviews from former teachers in the program, but high reviews from other parents. After experiencing this program, I feel that I likely would have achieved better results via simply allocating an hour a day throughout the summer to reading with my daughter, and supplementing with materials I've bought myself.

I have two children in the class in Lakeland,Florida. For the amount of money that is paid for the program I was let down about because I was in a classroom of 15 children in not including parents. Where the teacher walked around once while the children were reading with their parent. I got no update on how my child was doing no personal pointers on what I could do for more improvement. The only reason my child is doing any better with reading is because the on line portion with the parents is good. I did call to tell my opinion of the class portion And it was heard but the class is what it is and no changes will be made. At 300$ a child I do not feel like this program has included my children’s best learning capability other than what I as the parent at already doing for them myself. In the classroom the only interaction I felt was good was the teacher read them a book on the floor. I can take them to the library for free and the librarian does that almost daily 😔

WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!!!! I just called just to ask a question if I needed to attend every class with my daughter if I enroll her. She is entering 8th grade and I cannot take time off from work to attend the classes. After confirming that I do not have to be there for the classes, the rep kept telling me over and over again that she can check to see if the class is available in my area, and that she can sign up my daughter for the class right now over the phone. I told her that I have all the info in front of me on my laptop and I will do it myself, and I was just calling to confirm that I do not have to be at the classes. After a brief 2 sec pause she said"Learn to be nice Lady"!!!!!!!! What the what!!!!!!! I guess she assumed I had hung up. They should record all conversations for training purposes!

I signed my son up for the reading program to prepare him for kindergarten after receiving a flyer from my son's school. He is enrolled in a public school Montessori program that includes children from age 3 to sixth grade. I called in within the 14 days window to withdraw my son from the program because I thought he was already doing what the kindergarten course incorporated. I spoke to a customer service rep who insisted that I should take my son to the first grade class for one session to try it out. The first session was a mess. The teacher did not have enough books. There were not enough seats. One child was upset and walked out. My son did not seem to be interested in the course. In fact, he cried when he had to do every online lesson. I tried emailing the customer rep to be dropped from the course, and she did not respond. I called and was directed to someone else who got loud and upset at me for not knowing the Satisfaction Guarantee policy. I am getting the run around from everyone I talk to, and it is similar to buying a lemon. This program is a lemon. I will be sharing my experience with the school's PTA, principal, teachers, and parents.

from my experience in 2018 there was definitely an improvement in his reading for the 2nd grade. looking to see how he will improve in 2019/2020