Terms of Use

Terms of Use, Version 2026.09, Effective August 28, 2026.

Thank you for your enrollment in a reading program administered by the Institute of Reading Development, Inc. and its subsidiaries and/or affiliates (collectively, "IRD"), and/or your visit to its website. IRD is a California corporation, with its principal place of business at 755 Baywood Drive, FL2, Suite 200, Petaluma, CA 94954. The following are IRD's Terms of Use (the "Terms").

THESE TERMS APPLY TO AND GOVERN YOUR USE OF THE WEBSITES AND SERVICES OF IRD. THESE TERMS ARE IMPORTANT AND AFFECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS. PLEASE READ THESE TERMS CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THE WEBSITES OR USING ANY SERVICES.

The Company is the owner and operator of https://readingprograms.org and https://readingprograms.com. These Terms apply to your access to, and use of, those addresses, as well as any other IRD-controlled sites, regardless of domain name or IP address (collectively, the "Websites"). These Terms also apply to all the features, applications, and services accessible through, or in connection with, the Websites and apply generally to all programs (educational courses, reading programs, or otherwise) provided by IRD as part of its educational mission (collectively, the "Services"). Certain Services may be subject to additional terms and conditions (collectively, "Additional Terms") as may be set forth in these Terms or available through links in these Terms, and your use of such Services constitutes your agreement to all applicable Additional Terms. The Additional Terms are hereby incorporated by reference into these Terms. Further, these Terms are in addition to the terms or conditions of any other agreement you may have with IRD, for products or services, including, without limitation, terms, conditions and policies relating to educational courses and programs provided by IRD. The terms "we", "us", and "our" refer to IRD, and the terms "you" or "yours" refers to you, as user of the Websites and/or a recipient of Services.

BY ACCESSING AND USING THE WEBSITES AND/OR BEGINNING USE OF THE SERVICES, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS. IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS, PLEASE DISCONTINUE ALL USE OF THE WEBSITES AND SERVICES.

What We Promised You at Purchase

If an IRD page, email, or enrollment confirmation promised you something more generous than what these Terms describe, the more generous promise is the one that applies to your purchase. These Terms set the minimum, never the maximum.

Privacy Policy

Please refer to the Privacy Policy for information on how IRD collects, uses and discloses the information collected on the Websites and through the performance of the Services.

If you are a student, additional policies concerning educational records may apply. Please refer to Additional Terms or other materials provided to you in connection with any Services for more information.

Account Set-Up, Account and Communication Preferences

In order to access and use certain Services or features of the Websites, you will need to register for an account. IRD will provide you with information necessary for you to set up an account, including user IDs, in communications with you when you register for the applicable Services. By creating an account, you agree to (a) provide accurate, current and complete account information, (b) maintain and promptly update from time to time as necessary your account information, (c) maintain the security of your password and accept all risks of unauthorized access to your account and the information you provide to us, and (d) immediately notify us if you discover or otherwise suspect any security breaches related to the Websites or your account. By electing to set up your account to use the Services, you consent for IRD to communicate through your account with account users who you provide access to the account for purposes of using designated Services. You accept full responsibility for any use of the Websites through your account including any access and/or use by minors.

By creating an account, you also consent to receive electronic communications from us (for example, via email or by posting notices to the Websites). These communications may include notices about your account and are part of your relationship with us. You agree that any notices, agreements, disclosures or other communications that we send to you electronically will satisfy any legal communication requirements, including, but not limited to, that such communications be in writing. You should maintain copies of electronic communications from us by printing a paper copy or saving an electronic copy.

User Conduct

If you are enrolled in one of IRD's Services, either through a participating location or online, you may be obligated to a "Code of Conduct" or "Student Code of Conduct", which sets out policies regarding use of IRD resources and other applicable policies. In the event of any conflict between these Terms and any policy in a Code of Conduct, the Code of Conduct shall take precedence.

The Websites or the Services may provide you the opportunity to post content to discussion forums or other interactive areas like chat rooms or message boards in which you create, post or store any content ("User Content"). These areas are provided "as is". You are solely responsible for your use of such areas and you use them at your own risk.

If you post User Content, you agree that your User Content will be accessible and viewed by others. You agree not to post, upload, transmit, distribute, store, create or otherwise publish or make available for viewing through the Websites any of the following:

IRD is not responsible or liable for any User Content. Although we have no obligation to screen, edit, or monitor User Content, we reserve the right, and have absolute discretion, to remove, screen, or edit User Content posted or stored on the Websites at any time and for any reason, and you are solely responsible for creating backup copies of and replacing any User Content you post or store on the Websites at your sole cost and expense.

Modifications to the Websites and Services

We reserve the right in our sole discretion to modify, suspend, or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, the Websites (or any Website content) or the provision of the Services at any time and without liability therefor.

Modifications to Terms of Use

IRD reserves the right to change or modify any of the terms and conditions contained in these Terms or any Additional Terms, at any time and in its sole discretion. If IRD changes or modifies these Terms, IRD will post the changes to these Terms on the Websites and will indicate the date these Terms were last revised. Any changes or modifications will be effective immediately upon posting of the revisions to the Websites, and you waive any right you may have to receive specific notice of such changes or modifications. Your continued use of any of the Websites, Website Content, or the Services following the posting of such changes or modifications will constitute and confirm your agreement to and acceptance of such changes or modifications. It is your responsibility to regularly check the Websites to determine if there have been changes to these Terms and to review such changes. We encourage you to review the Terms frequently to ensure that you understand the terms and conditions that apply when you access or use the Websites or order, receive or use the Services. If you do not agree to the Terms as amended, you must stop using the Websites and the Services.

Revocation or Suspension of Use Privileges

IRD may, in its sole discretion, terminate or suspend your access to the Websites or terminate your use of any Services for any breach of these Terms or any applicable Code of Conduct. IRD may notify you that you have breached these Terms and your account is being terminated. These actions are in addition to and not in lieu or limitation of any other right or remedy IRD may have available at law. Further, IRD shall not be liable to you or any third party for any such termination or discontinuance.

Disclaimer of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL IRD, ITS PAST, PRESENT, OR FUTURE DIRECTORS, AFFILIATES, MEMBERS, EQUITY HOLDERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EXEMPLARY OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF USE, LOSS OF PROFITS OR LOSS OF DATA, OR LOSS OR DIMINUTION IN VALUE OF ASSETS OR SECURITIES, OR DAMAGES FOR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, WHETHER IN AN ACTION IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ALL FORMS OF NEGLIGENCE), EQUITY OR OTHERWISE, ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE WEBSITES, WEBSITE CONTENT, SERVICES OR THE USER CONTENT (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY DAMAGES CAUSED BY OR RESULTING FROM RELIANCE BY ANY USER ON ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM US, OR FROM MISTAKES, OMISSIONS, INTERRUPTIONS, DELETIONS OF FILES OR EMAILS, ERRORS, DEFECTS, BUGS, VIRUSES, TROJAN HORSES, DELAYS IN OPERATION OR TRANSMISSION OR ANY FAILURE OF PERFORMANCE, WHETHER OR NOT RESULTING FROM ACTS OF GOD, COMMUNICATIONS FAILURE, THEFT, DESTRUCTION OR UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OUR RECORDS, PROGRAMS OR SYSTEMS). IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AGGREGATE LIABILITY OF IRD, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, WARRANTY, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, WHETHER ACTIVE, PASSIVE OR IMPUTED), PRODUCT LIABILITY, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER THEORY, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE WEBSITES, THE WEBSITE CONTENT, SERVICES OR THE USER CONTENT EXCEED ANY COMPENSATION YOU PAY, IF ANY, TO IRD FOR ACCESS TO OR USE OF THE WEBSITES OR SERVICES. THE FOREGOING LIMITATIONS SHALL APPLY EVEN IN THE EVENT YOUR REMEDIES HEREUNDER FAIL OF THEIR ESSENTIAL PURPOSE, AND THE FOREGOING SHALL CONSTITUTE IRD'S SOLE LIABILITY AND OBLIGATION IN RESPECT HEREOF.

Indemnity

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, you agree to release, indemnify and hold IRD, and its past, present, and future directors, affiliates, members, equity holders, employees, agents, third-party licensors, representatives, predecessors, successors and assigns harmless from and against any and all actual or alleged liabilities, losses, damages, claims, awards, judgments, obligations, penalties, interest, costs (including, without limitation, court costs, costs of settlement and costs of pursuing indemnification and insurance), fees, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, of every kind and nature whatsoever, whether known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, matured or unmatured, or suspected or unsuspected, in law or equity, whether in tort, contract or otherwise (collectively, "Claims"), including, but not limited to (a) any and all injury, disability, death or damage to property (tangible or intangible) arising from or relating to your use or misuse of the Websites, Website Content, or Services; (b) any User Content you create, post, share, or store on or through the Websites or any third-party social media platforms; (c) any breach of your representations or obligations under these Terms; (d) your violation of the rights of another; (e) any third party's use or misuse of the Websites, Website Content, or Services provided to you; and (f) any infringement or violation of any intellectual property rights arising from or relating to your use of the Websites, Website Content, or Services. You further agree that IRD shall have control of the defense or settlement of any third-party Claims. The foregoing indemnity is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other indemnities set forth in a written agreement between you and IRD.

If you cause a technical disruption of the Websites or the systems transmitting the Websites, Website Content, or Services to you or others, you agree to be responsible for any and all losses, liabilities, expenses, damages and costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs, arising or resulting from that disruption. IRD reserves the right, at its own expense, to assume exclusive defense and control of any matter otherwise subject to indemnification by you and, in such case, you agree to cooperate with IRD in the defense of such matter.

Governing Law and Venue

You expressly agree that exclusive jurisdiction for any dispute with IRD, or in any way relating to your use of the Websites or the Services, as applicable, resides in the courts of the State of California, and you further agree and expressly consent to the exercise of personal jurisdiction in the State courts of Marin County, and the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, in the State of California, in connection with any such dispute including any claim involving IRD, its directors, affiliates, members, employees and agents.

Severability and Waiver

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid by any court having competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of these Terms, which shall remain in full force and effect. No waiver of any of these Terms shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such term or any other terms.

If you are a California resident, you may request that we provide to you: (i) a list of the categories of personal information about you that IRD has disclosed to third parties during the calendar year preceding your request, (ii) the names and addresses of such third parties, and (iii) if the nature of the third parties' business cannot reasonably be determined from their names, examples of the products or services offered, if known to IRD, sufficient to give you a reasonable indication of the nature of the third parties' business. To submit your request, please email help@readingprograms.org.

Use Rights and Restrictions

Unless otherwise indicated in any Additional Terms, the Websites, the Services and all content and other materials on the Websites including, without limitation, text, graphics, pictures, information, data, software, documentation, and the selection and arrangement thereof (collectively, the "Website Content") are the proprietary property of IRD or its licensors and are protected by U.S. and international copyright and other laws. You are granted a limited license, without the right to sublicense, to access and use the Websites, the Website Content and the Services for your educational, non-commercial and personal use only. Such license is subject to these Terms, the applicable Additional Terms, if any, and any other applicable terms and conditions. Without limiting the foregoing, you expressly agree not to:

The printed books, workbooks, and other materials IRD ships to you are yours. Nothing in this section limits your ownership of a book set you have purchased, and nothing in this section requires you to return one except as described in the printed book set terms below.

Any use or attempted use of the Websites, the Website Content or the Services other than as specifically authorized herein, without the express prior written permission of IRD, or its licensors, is strictly prohibited and will, among other things, terminate the license granted herein. Such unauthorized use or attempted use may also violate applicable laws, including without limitation, copyright and trademark laws and applicable communications regulations and statutes. Except as explicitly stated herein, nothing in these Terms or any applicable Additional Terms shall be construed as conferring any license to any intellectual property rights, whether by estoppel, implication or otherwise. This license is revocable at any time, in IRD's sole discretion.

Links to Third-Party Websites and Portals

The Websites may contain links to other websites. These links are for your convenience only, and IRD makes no representations or endorsements whatsoever regarding such other websites. For example, IRD makes no representations regarding, and accepts no responsibility for, the quality, content, nature or reliability of third-party websites accessible by hyperlink from the Websites or of websites linking to the Websites. This includes any websites maintained by any third-party payment processors. When you link to those websites, you leave the Websites. Such sites are not under our control, and we are not responsible for the contents of any linked site, any link contained in a linked site, or any review, changes, or updates to such sites. Further, we have no control over the business practices or policies of operators of such sites including those of any third-party payment processors. The inclusion of any link on the Websites does not imply that IRD endorses the linked site. Your use of any links is at your own risk. You further acknowledge and agree that IRD shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with your use of or reliance upon any goods, services, or materials available on or through such link, site, or resource. You should review the terms and conditions of use of such other websites carefully before providing any information to such website. IRD is not responsible for the terms and conditions of use, procedures or the content of any other website.

Third-Party Content

We may display content, advertisements and promotions from third parties through the Websites, Website Content, or in connection with Services (collectively "Third-Party Content"). IRD does not control, endorse or adopt any Third-Party Content, and we make no representations or warranties of any kind regarding such Third-Party Content, including, without limitation, regarding its accuracy or completeness. You acknowledge and agree that your interactions with third parties providing Third-Party Content are solely between you and such third parties, and that IRD is not responsible or liable in any manner for such interactions or Third-Party Content. This includes any Third-Party Content of any applicable payment processing provider.

Dispute Resolution

Arbitration. Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to the relationship of the parties or these Terms, or the breach or termination thereof, shall be finally settled by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") in accordance with its Arbitration Rules. Any judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator, which shall be final and binding on the parties, may be entered and enforced in any court having jurisdiction thereof.

The Arbitral Panel. The arbitral panel shall consist of a single neutral arbitrator to be agreed upon by the parties within twenty (20) days of respondent's receipt of the request for arbitration, or to be appointed by the AAA in default of such an agreement. Whether the decision-rendering body consists of a single arbitrator or a panel of arbitrators, such body is referred to herein as the "Arbitral Panel." The seat and place of the arbitration proceedings shall be Marin County, California, United States of America. The arbitration shall be held, and the award shall be rendered, in the English language.

Procedure. The Arbitral Panel shall apply such rules of procedure as it thinks appropriate under the circumstances; provided, however, that both parties shall be entitled to representation by counsel, to appear and present written and oral evidence and argument, and to cross-examine witnesses presented by the other party. The arbitral award shall be in writing and the Arbitral Panel shall provide written reasons for its award. The Arbitral Panel shall have no authority to award punitive or other damages not measured by the prevailing party's actual damages, except as may be required by statute. Except as may be required by law, neither a party nor the Arbitral Panel may disclose the existence, content, or results of any arbitration hereunder without the prior written consent of both parties.

Individual Claims. You agree that any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to the relationship of the parties or these Terms, or the breach or termination thereof, shall be brought solely on an individual basis, and you agree that these Terms do not permit class arbitration or any claims brought as a plaintiff or class member in any class or representative arbitration proceeding. The Arbitral Panel may not consolidate more than one person's claims, and may not otherwise preside over any form of a representative or class proceeding. In the event the prohibition on class arbitration is deemed invalid or unenforceable, then the remaining portions of the Terms herein governing Dispute Resolution will remain in full force and effect. For the avoidance of doubt, any dispute arising with respect to or regarding the interpretation of this paragraph shall be adjudicated by the Arbitral Panel.

SMS

By providing your mobile number and checking the consent box, you consent to receive mobile text alerts regarding exclusive offers and promotions from IRD. After signing up, you will receive a text message from 1-415-877-9626 on your mobile number. To confirm your opt-in to this program, please reply with the keyword JOIN. You may receive recurring Institute of Reading Development text messages. Standard message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to 1-415-877-9626 to opt out. Text HELP to 1-415-877-9626 for help. For more information, contact us at help@readingprograms.org.

You understand that you do not have to sign up for this program to make any purchases, and your consent is not a condition of purchase.

By signing up, you are confirming you are over the age of 13.

You understand that we will send mobile text messages using automated technology. Compatible carriers include: AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, Boost, Alltel (Verizon Wireless), U.S. Cellular, Cellular One, MetroPCS, ACS/Alaska, Bluegrass Cellular, Cellular One of East Central Illinois, Centennial Wireless, Cox Communications, EKN/Appalachian Wireless, GCI, Illinois Valley Cellular, Immix/Keystone Wireless, Inland Cellular, Nex-Tech Wireless, Rural Cellular Corporation, Thumb Cellular, United Wireless, West Central (WCC), Cellcom, C Spire Wireless, CellSouth, Cricket, Cincinnati Bell and Virgin Mobile. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

Copyright Complaints

It is IRD's policy to respond to claims of copyright infringement related to the Websites or Website Content. We will promptly process and investigate notices of alleged infringement by third parties and will take appropriate actions under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, Title 17, United States Code, Section 512(c)(2) (the "DMCA"), where applicable.

Pursuant to the DMCA, notifications of claimed copyright infringement by third parties should be sent to IRD's Designated Agent. If you believe that your copyrighted work has been infringed under U.S. copyright law and is accessible on the Websites, please notify us by contacting our designated agent. Even if you believe that the alleged infringing work was not posted by a third party, please send all notifications of claimed copyright infringement to the contact listed below.

Upon receipt of a valid notification of alleged copyright infringement by a third party, IRD shall remove or disable access to the material identified in the notice, forward the written notification to the alleged infringer, and take reasonable efforts to notify the alleged infringer that it has removed or disabled access to this material.

Contact Information

If you have questions about the Services or the Websites, please contact:

By email: help@readingprograms.org

By postal mail:

Institute of Reading Development
755 Baywood Drive, FL 2
Suite 200
Petaluma, CA 94954

GDPR Privacy Rights

Data Protection Rights for European Economic Area (EEA) Residents

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or Switzerland, you have certain data protection rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). IRD aims to take reasonable steps to allow you to correct, amend, delete, or limit the use of your personal data.

If you wish to be informed about what personal data we hold about you and if you want it to be removed from our systems, please contact us at help@readingprograms.org.

In certain circumstances, you have the following data protection rights:

We may ask you to verify your identity before responding to such requests. Please note, we may not be able to provide Services without some necessary data.

You have the right to lodge a complaint with a Data Protection Authority about our collection and use of your personal data. For more information, please contact your local data protection authority in the EEA.

Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data

Our legal basis for collecting and using personal data will depend on the personal data concerned and the specific context in which we collect it. We will normally collect personal data from you only where:

What IRD Sells

These product terms cover the following. Prices are the ones shown at checkout at the time of your purchase, except where a price is stated in these Terms.

Live-teacher programs. The Small Group Reading Program and 1:1 Tutoring. Both include one live online session per week with an IRD teacher, online lessons the student works through between sessions, and a weekly skills check. A small group is typically about four students and never more than six. 1:1 Tutoring begins with a free assessment, which is the first session of the course rather than a step you complete before enrolling. High school tutoring is offered 1:1 only. These programs are offered for elementary students (kindergarten through grade 5) and for middle school and above (grade 6 and up), and are sold month to month, as a three-month commitment, or as a twelve-month commitment.

Printed book sets. A set of twelve printed books, $87 per set. A book set may be purchased together with a live-teacher program or on its own. Middle school and above programs do not include or ship a book set.

The Skilled Readers Library. Printed book sets on their own, with no instruction, at $87 per set, delivered about every twelve weeks.

The Skilled Readers System. Self-directed online lessons with a printed book set, with no live teacher.

Live-Teacher Program Terms and Conditions

By purchasing a Small Group Reading Program or 1:1 Tutoring plan, you agree to the following terms and conditions.

What an active plan entitles you to. An active plan entitles the student to one scheduled live session per week for as long as the plan is active, other than IRD holiday weeks, together with access to the online lessons and the weekly skills check. A three-month commitment covers twelve scheduled sessions. A twelve-month commitment covers at least forty-eight scheduled sessions.

Teachers and substitutes. Sessions will generally be held with your regular instructor, but on occasion, due to illness or another event, a substitute instructor will hold the session. All instructors have received the same training, and your substitute instructor will have notes from your regular instructor about your child's progress and previous sessions.

Missed lessons. If you need to reschedule a session because of illness or another personal need, tell us at least 24 hours before the session and we will either schedule a make-up or extend your term by a week, so that the student does not lose instruction time. If less than 24 hours notice is possible, contact us anyway and we will do what we reasonably can. Either way, the session recording and that week's book remain available to you. Sessions may be rescheduled by emailing help@readingprograms.org.

Sessions IRD cancels. If a session is skipped because it falls during an IRD holiday week, or because your regular instructor is unavailable and no substitute instructor is available, that session does not count against the sessions you are entitled to. In those cases an additional week is added to your term before your next payment.

Access. Access to your sessions and the online lessons begins on successful payment and continues for as long as your plan is active. If a payment fails, we may suspend access until payment is successfully processed. If you stop your plan, you keep access to your scheduled sessions and the online lessons through the end of the period you have already paid for.

The Two-Session Decision Window

If you are enrolling a student in an IRD school-year program the student has not previously taken with us, your first purchase carries a two-session decision window. The first two sessions exist so you can find out whether the schedule, the teacher, and the workload fit your family. If they do not, we return the tuition.

The mechanic. Tuition is refunded in full if you tell us you want to stop within 48 hours after the end of the second scheduled session, or within 21 days of purchase, whichever comes first. Request the refund by emailing help@readingprograms.org. This is a decision window on a purchase you have already made, and your enrollment continues normally unless you tell us to stop it.

If a printed book set shipped, the tuition refund is not reduced. The book set is handled separately under the printed book set terms below, which give you the choice of returning the complete set, all twelve books in good condition, within 21 days of its arrival for a refund of the $87 less a $15 processing fee, with return shipping paid by you, or keeping the set for $87.

If part of your payment was covered by a credit from an earlier purchase, such as a Reading Diagnostic or a Pre-Summer Reading Assessment, the credited amount is not refunded. The refund covers the amount you actually paid.

Once a refund is issued, the student is no longer entitled to further sessions or other Services under that purchase.

Who the decision window applies to. It applies to a student's first school-year enrollment with IRD, in either the Small Group Reading Program or 1:1 Tutoring. It does not apply to a family continuing a school-year program the student has already taken with us, and it does not apply to a change of billing plan within a program the student is already enrolled in.

After the decision window. After the decision window closes, tuition already paid is not refunded. You may stop future billing at any time, as described below, and the guarantees in these Terms continue to apply for as long as the student is enrolled.

Billing, Renewal, and How to Stop

Billing. You are charged at checkout for the first period. After that, each period is charged automatically at its start. The amount is the price shown at checkout for the plan you chose. All prices are subject to applicable taxes.

Month-to-month plans. A month-to-month plan bills once a calendar month until you stop it. Nothing is owed past the month you have already paid for. If one month is enough, stop before the next charge and that month simply does not bill.

Three-month and twelve-month commitments. A three-month or twelve-month commitment is a commitment to that term. You are buying that term of instruction, and the term is not refundable once the decision window has closed. If something goes wrong inside the term, the remedies in these Terms are provided in instruction rather than in money. At the end of the term, the plan renews for another term of the same length unless you stop it with the notice described below. The freedom a commitment gives you is the freedom not to renew.

How to stop. Email help@readingprograms.org and ask us to stop your plan. That is the working path, and we will confirm in writing.

How much notice we need. For any plan that includes live instruction, we need your request at least 3 days before your next billing date in order to avoid the next charge. If your plan also includes a printed book set, we need your request no later than 1 day before the print order date for that set. Once the print order has been placed, that set is printed for you, ships, and is handled under the printed book set terms below. For the books-only Skilled Readers Library, we need your request no later than 1 day before the print order date for the next set.

What stopping means. When you stop, you keep everything you have already paid for through the end of that period, and you are charged nothing after it. You do not keep your place in the schedule after that period ends, and we cannot guarantee that the same schedule or the same teacher will be available if you enroll again later.

Pause

If your family needs a break, you may pause any plan once per calendar year for up to 90 days. Request a pause by emailing help@readingprograms.org. While your plan is paused, billing stops and sessions stop. When the pause ends, billing and sessions resume. We will do our best to hold your place, but we cannot guarantee that the same schedule or the same teacher will be available when you return.

Printed Book Sets

These terms apply to a printed book set wherever it is bought, whether alongside a live-teacher program or on its own.

Before the print order. If you cancel no later than 1 day before the print order date for your set, you get the full $87 back.

After the set arrives. You have 21 days from the day the set arrives to send the complete set back to us. A complete set means all twelve books, in good condition. You arrange and pay for the return shipping. Once we receive the complete set, we refund the $87 less a $15 processing fee.

If something is wrong with the set. If a set arrives damaged, defective, or is the wrong set, we replace it at no charge. That is our error, not a return.

Middle school and above. Programs for grade 6 and up do not include or ship a printed book set, so nothing ships and there is nothing to return.

The Skilled Readers Library

The Skilled Readers Library is a books-only plan. It delivers a set of twelve printed books at $87 per set, about every twelve weeks, until you stop it. There is no live instruction and no teacher.

The printed book set terms above apply to every set. To stop the Library, email help@readingprograms.org no later than 1 day before the print order date for the next set. Once the print order has been placed, that set is printed for you, ships, and the printed book set terms are how it is resolved.

The Skilled Readers System

The Skilled Readers System is self-directed. It includes online lessons the student works through at home and a printed book set. There is no live teacher and no scheduled session, so the session, make-up, and teacher provisions in these Terms do not apply to it. Billing, the notice rules, the pause policy, and the printed book set terms do apply.

Guarantees

Which guarantee applies to which program.

What you boughtWhat applies
Small Group Reading Program (live teacher)The IRD Triple Guarantee, plus the two-session decision window on a first school-year enrollment
1:1 Tutoring (live teacher)The IRD Triple Guarantee, plus the two-session decision window on a first school-year enrollment
The Skilled Readers System (self-directed)The Enroll With Confidence promise
The Skilled Readers Library (books only)The Enroll With Confidence promise

The IRD Triple Guarantee. The Triple Guarantee applies for as long as the student is enrolled in a live-teacher program. All three remedies are satisfied in instruction. They are never redeemable for cash or credit.

  1. Right Teacher. If the teacher is not the right fit, we rematch you within 7 days at no charge, plus one additional session with the new teacher at no charge.
  2. Right Level. If the student was placed wrong, we re-place them within 7 days at no charge.
  3. Right Outcome. If the student attends at least 90 percent of scheduled sessions and completes at least 90 percent of assigned practice, over a period of at least four weeks, and does not make measurable reading progress, we provide four further weeks of instruction at no charge.

The Right Outcome guarantee is assessed over a minimum of four weeks and requires both the 90 percent attendance condition and the 90 percent practice condition. The remedy is four further weeks of instruction at no charge. It is not redeemable for cash or credit. To make a claim under any part of the Triple Guarantee, email help@readingprograms.org.

The Enroll With Confidence promise. For the Skilled Readers System and the Skilled Readers Library:

  1. Stop any time. No commitment and no fees. Stop before your next set bills, with the notice described above, and the books you have are your child's to keep.
  2. We make it right. If anything arrives damaged, defective, or is the wrong set, we replace it at no charge.
  3. Printed to order. Each set is printed to the order, so we only print books that are pre-ordered.

Promotional Appreciation Codes

Promotional Appreciation Codes, referred to as "Appreciation Codes" or "PACs" in our marketing, may be redeemed to cover the full cost of one online or in-person IRD program, as specified by the specific Appreciation Code. Full cost includes the tuition of the program at the time of redemption of the Appreciation Code, as well as all standard materials and shipping and handling charges at the time of redemption of the Appreciation Code, but does not include extra shipping charges for late or expedited enrollments as defined on IRD's website.

Promotional Appreciation Codes expire one year after their date of issuance.

Promotional Appreciation Codes have no cash value and cannot be redeemed for anything other than one online or in-person IRD program, as specified by the specific Appreciation Code.

Use of Promotional Appreciation Codes cannot be combined with any other offer.

Gift Cards

Gift credits, referred to as "Gift Cards" in our marketing, may be redeemed to cover the full cost of one online IRD program. Full cost includes the tuition of the program at the time of redemption of the credit, as well as all standard materials and shipping and handling charges at the time of redemption of the credit, but does not include extra shipping charges for late or expedited enrollments as defined on IRD's website.

Gift credits do not expire.

Unredeemed gift credits may be refunded within 21 days of purchase.

Purchases of gift credits cannot be combined with loyalty rewards, reenrollment discounts, or additional student discounts.

Discounted Classes

IRD may offer Discounted Classes where customers can purchase a specific upcoming class in advance for a price savings. Discounted Classes are online only. Other restrictions or exclusions may apply, such as limitations on grades. Please check the terms of your specific Discounted Class offer.

Customers who purchase a Discounted Class will receive an Enrollment Code at the time of purchase, which is used to schedule the applicable class once enrollment opens. An Enrollment Code is only valid for enrollment in the specific Discounted Class for which it was issued. Enrollment Codes are not transferable and cannot be applied to any other program, class or grade. An Enrollment Code expires when enrollment for the Discounted Class for which it was issued closes. Enrollment Codes cannot be used to purchase gift cards and cannot be applied to a previous purchase. An Enrollment Code is good for one-time use and cannot be combined with other offers, discounts or deals, including but not limited to loyalty rewards, reenrollment discounts, or student discounts.

Discounted Class purchases are subject to IRD's refund policy. Refunds for Discounted Classes will be for the price actually paid. Unused Discounted Classes that are no longer eligible for refunds will be forfeited.

Discounted Class purchases include the full cost of tuition for the applicable program, as well as all standard materials and shipping and handling. Extra shipping charges for late or expedited enrollments are not included.

Discounted Classes are only made available immediately following an applicable initial program purchase, to which our standard refund terms apply. In addition to our standard refund terms, should you refund your initial purchase at any time while keeping the Discounted Class, whether used or unused, your refund amount for the initial purchase will be reduced by the value of the discount received for the Discounted Class.

Bundles

Bundles are blocks of two or more Credits for online programs offered by IRD, offered for purchase at a discounted price.

Purchases of Bundles may be refunded within 21 days of purchase, unless a program for which a Credit has been used starts sooner, in which case the Bundle may not be refunded after the start of the credited course. If a printed book set has already shipped to you, the printed book set terms above apply to it.

Bundle credits do not expire.

Each Credit may be redeemed to cover the full cost of one online IRD program. Full cost includes the tuition of the program at the time of redemption of the Credit, as well as all standard materials and shipping and handling charges at the time of redemption of the Credit, but does not include extra shipping charges for late or expedited enrollments as defined on IRD's website.

Credits from each Bundle purchased are assigned to a specific student, and the Credits for any specific Bundle may not be transferred to any other student within or outside your family.

Credits may be redeemed for any online IRD program.

Credits may be used in consecutive sessions (for example, one for an Early Fall program and the next for a Late Fall program) or in non-consecutive sessions (for example, one for an Early Fall program and the next for a Spring program). Only one Credit can be used for any specific session of a specific year, so you cannot use multiple Credits to take multiple programs at the same time.

Purchases of Bundles or Credits cannot be combined with any other offer, including but not limited to loyalty rewards, coupons, reenrollment discounts, additional student discounts, or any other type of discount.

Legacy Reading Programs (Start Dates Before January 1, 2026)

If you enrolled in an IRD classroom or online reading program with a start date before January 1, 2026, the program-specific policies that applied to that enrollment are not restated here. To ask a question about a program that started before January 1, 2026, email help@readingprograms.org.

The Terms at Checkout

These Terms are incorporated by reference into every IRD purchase. The following paragraph appears at each checkout, and the box beside it must be checked before payment can be completed:

By completing this purchase you agree to the Institute of Reading Development's Terms of Use, which include the refund, cancellation, pause, book return, and guarantee terms for what you are buying. The Terms are available at https://readingprograms.org/terms and open in a new window. If you have a question about any of it before you buy, email help@readingprograms.org.

No Offer to Existing Subscribers

Nothing in these Terms is an offer. This is a policy document. If you are already enrolled with IRD, your existing plan continues exactly as it is, on the price and billing schedule you already have, and nothing here asks you to change it, upgrade it, or buy anything.

What Changed Since the July 29, 2026 Version

  1. The $50 early cancellation fee on monthly plans is gone.
  2. The 14-Day Test Drive is now called the two-session decision window. The refund mechanic itself is unchanged: 48 hours after the second session or 21 days from purchase, whichever comes first.
  3. One book policy now covers printed books wherever you buy them. Cancel before the print order for the full $87 back, or return the complete set within 21 days of arrival for a refund less a $15 processing fee. Book orders are no longer described as non-refundable, and a decision-window refund no longer withholds $87.
  4. The Perfect Match Promise and the Results Protection Guarantee are gone as separate promises. What they covered now sits inside the Triple Guarantee.
  5. The Triple Guarantee is stated in full for the first time, including the 90 percent attendance and 90 percent practice conditions on the outcome guarantee, and the fact that every remedy is paid in instruction rather than cash.
  6. One pause policy for every plan: once per calendar year, up to 90 days. The old split between monthly and quarterly or annual plans is gone.
  7. Missed lessons: with at least 24 hours notice we schedule a make-up or extend the term. The clause that let a no-notice missed session count against you has been removed.
  8. Cancellation notice is now 3 days before the next billing date for any plan with live instruction, and no later than 1 day before the print order date for any printed book set, whether bought with instruction or through the books-only Library.
  9. Sections for products we are not selling have been removed: the 4-Week Block Program, the Summer Reading Programs, and the 7-day free trial web app.
  10. These Terms now carry a version number and an effective date.