Really nice and helpful program 🙂 Your…
Really nice and helpful program 🙂 Your child will love it!
Reply from Institute of Reading Development2024-09-13
Thank you for your glowing review! - Kate, Customer Care Specialist
About Institute of Reading Development
Data updated- Website
- readingprograms.org
- Category
- Public & Local Services
- Location
- United States
- Status
- Unclaimed
- Last 12 months
- 3 reviews
- Replies to negative
- 67% (6/9)
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About this business
The Institute of Reading Development is a nationwide leader in reading skills instruction. Since 1970, the Institute has taught more than two million students in partnership with colleges and universities across the United States. The Institute’s inspired instruction encourages a lifelong love of reading in every student.
Is Institute of Reading Development legit?
Institute of Reading Development (readingprograms.org) has a 4.5 out of 5 rating on OK.one, based on 100 user reviews collected here. It is listed under Public & Local Services and its reputation is excellent. 88% of reviews are 4 stars or higher and 9% are 1 star; The business has replied to 67% of negative reviews; 3 of them were added in the last 12 months. Last updated 2026-08-25.
What people say
Good experience so far
So far this has been a pretty good experience. My son describes the teacher as great and sweet and kind. He is an incoming sophomore in high school so we wanted to find a reading/educational program to help prepare him. Help get him ready for what is next to come. It was very easy to select a program and there is a good variety of schedules available. On the first day yesterday the students were asked to read a portion of the first chapter and the instructor would then interact with the students. There is also an online learning course for them to do every week. So far this is working out great.
Reply from Institute of Reading Development2024-09-13
Thanks for leaving a detailed review, Rick. We're pleased that your son liked the teacher and hope that the skills he learned prepared him to succeed as a sophomore. - Kate, Customer Care Specialist
Great Teacher
Great Teacher, that was concerned about every child's progression. She was there for a purpose to get the child to learn but in a creative and fun way. The books selected for this reading program were entertaining to the kids. My special needs child learned phonics, sight words, and reading comprehension. They also assigned homework every weekend, and it was online which reinforced what she taught in class. Very pleased with the program. She was inclusive, and wonderful to my grandson.
Who Will Help?
Excellent help
This was a great experience because I loved my teacher.
Great class for our 4 year old!
This was a great way to introduce reading skills and keep our son engaged during the summer. He feels much more engaged in reading and learning letters and more prepared for Pre-K.
Jamie’s First Class
I can’t say too much because I wasn’t in the class. However, I could tell by Jamie’s enthusiasm that he enjoyed the class and will be looking forward to next week.
This is a money making scheme from what…
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.
This is the first time I am choosing…
This is the first time I am choosing this company my son was slow in reading I came home from work yesterday and he told me he can read that was a joy to hear thanks to this program.
This money-making venture is not worth my money
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.
Reply from Institute of Reading Development2024-06-28
We are happy that your daughter is making progress as a reader, no matter the approach used. We applaud your recognition that, as a parent, there are steps you can take to support her and improve her reading skills. We understand that you don't agree with our refund policy. We're sorry that this is impacting your perspective of the program. However, our resources are committed in advance. We hire, train, and schedule teachers based on student enrollments. This ensures we have the right staff ready for your class. Course materials must also be printed or purchased well in advance. Fulfillment and shipping arrangements are made based on the number of participants. We often have to turn prospective students away if spots are no longer available. Due to these irreplaceable costs, refunds cannot be issued after the 10-day refund window or the program start. Even with this necessary policy in place, we still make every effort to provide the high quality educational experience that our customers have paid for when there are unforeseen change in their circumstances, by offering them credits for future courses. When students use these credits, we're actually committing the resources twice. For this reason, many other programs do not offer similar credits. However, we do, because we genuinely want your child to get the benefits you sought from the beginning. We hope that your daughter continues to find success as a reader and as a student. - Doug Evans, CEO
The experience was good and we enjoyed it.
My child enjoyed the class and found it to be helpful in the first day.
Reply from Institute of Reading Development2024-06-26
We're pleased to hear that your program has been helping your child, Gerri! - Kate, Customer Care Specialist
Reading class
The class is so great
Reply from Institute of Reading Development2024-06-20
Thanks, Khieng! - Casey, Customer Care Specialist
Saige enjoyed the class
Saige enjoyed the class. She really liked the book. The teacher held her attention.
Reply from Institute of Reading Development2024-06-14
We're glad Saige is enjoying the program so far, thank you, Doris! - Kate, Customer Care Specialist
Will not offer refund for unexpected cancellations
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
Reply from Institute of Reading Development2024-06-12
Our refund policy stems from the fact that we must commit resources well in advance of our classes, based on student enrollment. This ensures that we can hire and train enough teachers for scheduled classes, purchase and ship the correct number of materials to families right before classes begin, and reserve classroom facilities. Despite the necessity of making these commitments in advance, we do allow customers to switch into a different program during the same session, or into a future program, when their plans are unexpectedly forced to change. - Eugenie Borton, Customer Service Manager
Don’t waste your money or time it’s not…
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.
Reply from Institute of Reading Development2024-06-05
We are disappointed to hear about your first class, Lashelle! It is infrequent, but occasionally programs have a few hiccups at the beginning. However, we want to reassure you that we're here to support parents and students. Part of doing that is giving you many ways to tell us more about your experience so we can find out what happened. You can always reach out to your teacher about your child's individual progress or provide feedback through the weekly emails you receive, and please don't hesitate to call Customer Service directly at 1-800-903-0651 or email [email protected]. - Kate, Customer Care Specialist
Too expensive
We ended up not going through with this in lieu of high price. $350 for 4 sessions for the program that is being promoted by public school system is way too much. We understand that all the prices for education are hyperinflated but we can get private tutors for far less than that. The onboarding was long and not transparent. Sort of misleading in the context of a child bringing a brochure from the school on a recommendation of the teacher - we thought it was nearly a part of the school system.
Reply from Institute of Reading Development2024-06-05
Hi Sean, we regret that you didn't decide to give our 5-week program a shot! Our terrific teachers, great book selections, and carefully targeted, grade-specific curriculum offer a tremendous value and return on investment in terms of kids' skills and confidence with reading. We hope you'll reconsider next summer. - Tracy, Customer Care Specialist
reading lesson
It was really clam and nice.
Great reading program!
Learning to love reading.
This program is helping my child to communicate more and it makes her come out of her shell. I was very surprised to see her interactions with the class.
Reply from Institute of Reading Development2023-10-20
Gladys, we're pleased to hear that the program is fostering confidence in your child, as well as nurturing a love for reading. Thanks for your review. - Casey, Customer Care Specialist
I noticed a remarkable improvement in…
I noticed a remarkable improvement in my son’s English language reading comprehension, school assignments and grades.
Reply from Institute of Reading Development2023-10-20
We're delighted to hear about the remarkable improvement in your son’s reading comprehension and academic performance. Thank you for entrusting us with his reading journey, and for taking the time to share your positive experience. - Casey, Customer Care Specialist
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