Frequently Asked Questions

If you're interested in learning more about your child's literacy development, send us an inquiry form. We will provide our application link and pricing. Once we receive your completed application, an initial assessment is scheduled within 3 weeks. Afterward, you'll receive a detailed report and our proposed goals for an initial 12 to 20 sessions. If you choose to move forward with scheduling, we then match you with a tutor specializing in your child's areas of focus.

Our tutors are certified in structured literacy instruction tailored to the needs of students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties through courses accredited by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA). As a team, we are dedicated to ongoing professional development and actively engage in the Science of Reading academic community. 

Our individualized and responsive approach caters to neurodivergent students in general. We invite families who are unsure how their child will respond online to engage in an introductory session or two. We prioritize building rapport and work to learn your child's interests right away. Our mission is to see your child focus and flourish through lessons designed just for them by experienced educators. We find that children enjoy learning with us in the fast-paced virtual environment.

You will receive a comprehensive summary of your child's strengths and areas for growth in literacy based on assessment results including areas of phonemic awareness, word-level decoding, reading fluency, comprehension, and writing. Goals for the first 12-20 sessions as well as the recommended frequency of sessions will be provided. If you wish to move forward, we will send you our contract and policies as well as a Pocketsuite link to schedule your sessions on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Each RR DMV lesson is expertly tailored to your child's needs and interests- no two lessons are the same! However, tutors use a systematic and explicit approach to phonics instruction. Each foundational lesson includes phonemic awareness activities, and analytical practice at the word level with decoding and encoding. Children apply their decoding skills reading connected text and are coached to develop fluency. Advanced literacy lessons include morphology and more in-depth writing exercises.

While we ask that a parent or guardian be at home during sessions for safety, we find that children progress most when the learning environment mirrors how your child learns at school. So that your child is able to solely focus on the tutor and the instruction given, we recommend listening from an adjacent room rather than sitting in on the session. Please plan to monitor and support your child throughout the Literacy for Littles lesson until they have developed independent literacy skills.

After each session, tutors provide a brief verbal summary and as well as a written description of suggested review activities for the skills taught that day. 

Your tutor will determine a recommended frequency based on your child's initial assessment. Generally, for students who are below grade-level benchmarks, a minimum of two sessions weekly is recommended. Consistency is key in seeing your child progress!

While this is a decision that should be made with you, your child’s school, and your tutor, we recommend between 12 and 20 sessions to see measurable progress. At that time, we can reevaluate and determine the best next steps as a team. Many of our students stay with us after they have met grade-level standards with a lower frequency of sessions or a focus on enrichment. With Reading Ready DMV, there is no limit to how much your child can grow! 

For existing clients, we are able to take on “mini-sessions” of 15-20 minutes for a younger child in Pre-Kindergarten(see Sibling Hour).

We also offer Literacy For Littles, a starter session type that will prepare your child for longer sessions. 

PocketSuite is our online booking system.  It allows us to streamline communication and you are able to book sessions and send payments all in the same place! We conduct all student sessions through Zoom. 

For virtual sessions, we ask that your child work in a quiet space free from distractions such as siblings, pets, and snacks. Please prepare your child with optional headphones and a laptop or tablet. After enrolling, we provide an introductory materials package that will cover everything else they'll need to get started, including writing materials. 

We welcome you to forward us school newsletters and literacy data such as progress reports and school work samples. Our tutors follow a scope and sequence of instruction that complements the grade-level skills your child is learning at school. 

RR DMV Tutors offer one complimentary touchpoint each semester with your child's school-based team. If you prefer that we conference more regularly, we offer consulting services. More information is in the Services & Rates section of our website.

After the sessions, your tutor will provide a brief summary of the skills taught and provide activities that will best review the content. We have found that daily home practice with these activities for as little as 10 minutes makes a great impact on your child's progress. 

Pocketsuite offers automated payment options for each session. 

We understand that unexpected things happen, especially with young children. Tutors will do their best to offer makeup sessions when possible if something comes up. We ask that you give your tutor at least 24 hours' notice for changes or cancellations. Late cancellations will be automatically billed for the session.