Every student can become a confident, skilled reader with expert instruction. Reading ability is learned, not inherited — and the right teaching unlocks potential in every student. For 56 years, we've proven this through the success of over 3 million families.
In 1970, Paul Copperman — a reading education pioneer from UC Berkeley — founded the Institute of Reading Development with a simple conviction: every child can learn to read well, with the right instruction.
What started as a local Northern California program grew nationwide as we began partnering with universities across the country. Over the decades, we built partnerships with more than 200 institutions, bringing research-backed reading instruction to communities across the United States. That work was spearheaded by dedicated professionals like Dave Soloway and Josh Kizner, who cultivated those relationships and proved the deep need for quality reading instruction.
I came to the Institute because I believed in what Paul built — and because I saw firsthand, as a parent, how hard it is to teach your own child to read. The closer the relationship, the harder it is. That's exactly the problem we solve: expert teachers who know reading deeply, working with your child in small groups where every student reads, speaks, and is heard.
Today, we offer summer reading programs for Pre-K through 8th grade and 1:1 tutoring for all ages. We've invested heavily in making our summer programs the best they've ever been — smaller class sizes, stronger curriculum, and a team of expert reading teachers we hire from fewer than 3% of applicants. After 56 years and over 3 million families, the mission hasn't changed. The instruction has never been better.
Paul Copperman establishes the Institute of Reading Development in Northern California with a mission to transform reading instruction.
Partner with 200+ universities across the United States, bringing reading programs to local communities and serving millions of families.
Launch redesigned summer reading programs with smaller classes and stronger curriculum, plus personalized 1:1 tutoring for all ages.
Expert teachers hired from fewer than 3% of applicants. Groups of just 6 students. A 56-year curriculum refined every year. The best reading instruction we've ever offered.