Institute of Reading DevelopmentReviews of readingprograms.org

I enrolled my daughter in this reading program with high expectations, based on the advertising that promised real progress. I specifically chose the in-person option—despite the higher cost—because she struggles with online learning due to her age and short attention span. Unfortunately, the experience was far below what was promised. One class was canceled five minutes after its start time because the facility hadn't opened its doors. The makeup session was scheduled during my work hours, so my husband had to take PTO to bring her—only to find the classroom empty. On the first day, the teacher had nothing but a small post-it board to teach from, which was not visible to the children in the back. She said the company was supposed to provide a proper board, but none ever arrived. There were also issues with the 20-minute sessions—one week, the assigned teacher didn’t show up at all. I’d prepared my daughter and rearranged our day, only to be forced into rescheduling. When I contacted support to share my concerns, the agent asked, "Well, what would you like?"—as though I needed to solve their service issues myself. I paid nearly $400 for what should have been a structured and supportive learning environment. The registration process was smooth, and I was planning to enroll her in both summer sessions, but after this experience, I can’t recommend the program to other families. The only positive was the teacher herself—she was kind and patient, and that’s the only reason I’m giving this program one

My daughter attended this last year for the first time- she didn’t like it at all. I signed her up this year anyways cause she needs to do something to get better with reading. When I signed her up the lady told me I had 10 days till the start date to cancel. When I tried to do so a more than 10 days before the start date they said it was 10 after registration. I know what I heard or I wouldn’t have signed her up knowing she didn’t like it. Now it is taking forever for a manager to call me back. I feel like this is never going to get resolved as the managers are backed up on their phone calls I am told. The phone calls are recorded so there is proof of what that person told me on the phone. Now they need to find that proof, it’s not my fault somebody told me the wrong information. I have who I spoke to and on what date. But there is nothing that can be done. Poor customer service on my second time around. Do not do business with them folks. Beware, if you have any problems - you will not get resolution- I feel scammed. They will drag their feet getting back with you so you will not get a refund that is deserved

This is a money making scheme from what I can tell. I was initially reluctant bc they said that parents can't be in the classroom. My son is 7 and I didn't feel comfortable leaving my child when I haven't gotten a feel for the program. Secondly, we had a family issue come up to where my child could not participate. I called the day of his class and was told I would have to wait until the weekday to get a call from supervisor. I didn't hear anything back. So I called again mid wk that week and finally a supervisor called back who refused to give me a refund despite my offer to send back the unused materials. She tried to give me a credit and I just wanted a refund. Then she proceeded to ask what my family issue was and I didn't feel comfortable giving her that info. She stated that the refund policy was in the email and when I went back to the email I didn't see it plainly. You have to scroll all the way to the bottom, click on terms and agreements and then scroll through a whole bunch of legal jargon until you get almost to the bottom to see the refund policy. The lady ultimately said she would have to get back to me about a refund. Well, here we are 2 wk later and still no call. So I called today again to ask for a supervisor and was told I would hear back. Still... nothing. I will be sure that my kid's school and area schools know to NOT send these flyers home as this program is not out to help parents and their kids. They are out to get your money. I will make sure to forever give all parents I come in contact with a strong warning about this program. Now I am out almost $400.

As far as I can tell, the Institute of Reading Development (IRD) is a money-making venture, capitalizing on parents' natural desire to help their children learn. If you doubt me, try paying for a class, having a legitimate reason to cancel, and asking for a refund. They are not going to part with your money once they have it. And if you still doubt me, try taking a class and seeing what you actually get for your money. We signed up our daughter (then a rising 6th grader) for a class last summer (2023) because we wanted to help her catch up on reading after she got behind during the pandemic. After signing her up, as we kept observing her reading and talking online about her with another reading expert, we decided that there were specific interventions that we needed to make that were very different from the description of the course. (On a happy side note: We worked with her directly and intensively over the summer on those specific things and it helped a lot.) We called to cancel the class and explained that we had discovered some specific reading interventions that our daughter needed, and that the class was working at cross-purposes with what she needed. They absolutely refused to give a refund. In fairness to them, their refund policy is "You're out of luck unless you change your mind within 10 days of paying" and we did sign up and didn't figure out our daughter's needs within 10 days, so "bad on us" and they are within their rights to refuse a refund. But it's not the sign of a business that is actually trying to help people. They gave me a nonsensical reason that they couldn't give me a refund: Since we had already signed up, it would mess up their scheduling if they un-signed us up. (That made no sense, because they gave us a voucher to take a course any time in the next 3 years. What is the difference in their scheduling system between taking us out completely and letting us schedule something any time in the next 3 years?) We are not a family that throws away $300, so we signed my daughter up this summer to use the money we already paid. The class is *fine*. The teacher is nice, and seems to do a good job, but for $300, we get 5 online classes (1 hour 15 each) with about 8 students and access to 25 online homework assignments. So, ~$50 per hour for a 1 to 8 teacher-to-student ratio (with a bonus of giving your student even more online homework than they had all year in school). If that seems like a good deal, this is the program for you. Just make sure you don't change your mind (10 days) after you pay them.

Supervisor would not accommodate & offer a full refund or even partial for my unexpected emergency & needing to cancel the class. She denied me a refund & said that my only options are to do online classes or I have 3 years to use to the $371 I spent on another future program. Apparently it’s past the 30 day refund period which she states was in the email I got after signing up for the course. (IT WAS NOT) Due to her lack of concern involving my situation I will NOT be doing any further business with them & have contacted my credit card company. After reading the reviews, PLEASE GO ELSEWHERE. It’s as if they care only about money. I also have NEVER received any of the books/materials which I have paid for on April 20,2024. They are quick to take the money out your account but will make every excuse as to why they cannot give you a refund. Pitiful

Don’t waste your money or time it’s not worth it. There are too many student in a class so there is no individual instruction. The teacher has a hard time getting the class under control. This would be good if there was some type of aid to assist and if the parents were not allowed in the room. The instructor was nice the program is a good idea not well executed.

This is the biggest waste of money I have ever spent and regretted. My son was in the 1st grade reading class. The course is a 6 week course (once a week). There were 6 books mailed out (one for every week). The course was the teacher reading the story to the kids, asking questions about the images on the pages, and making up stories. Then I have to teach him how to read the book throughout the week. If I wanted someone to read him the books I would have taken him to the library. This program does not teach kids how to read and is more of a social hour. You can only get a refund if you ask for it the first two weeks after you pay but the course does not start until months later. If you attend the first class and see it’s a scam you are unable to get a refund. There’s parents in the course that never even received their books and were not given any by the last class. 6 weeks and that issue was not able to be resolved. I find it funny that the company took down their page for Google reviews and it was full of negative reviews. I’ll never use this service again and I would only recommend it to my worst enemy

My children have been taking reading classes through this program for 3 years. Unfortunately, this is not a program for advanced readers. As an educator myself, I have been so impressed with the teaching and services provided.... Until my 3rd grader was enrolled in the 6th grade section because of her academic ability and was told the first week of class she was not welcome because she was too young. I wonder what content they are sharing in the middle school sections that's not appropriate for a mature 3rd grader? When I asked to speak to the supervisor, John Boyd, he would not respond to my email or return a phone call. All I was looking for was an explanation for why a student was ranked by age and not ability. He had a teacher supervisor email me to tell me he wouldn't talk to me... I will not be returning or recommending this program to anyone because of the lack of communication and professionalism from John Boyd.