About Online Reading Tutor
Why we do what we do
Our Mission
We ensure every student achieves grade level reading fluency by providing intensive training in the six foundation skills of reading. We harness the power of technology to deliver individualized instruction that diagnoses and then closes the skill gaps of each individual, thus ensuring every student becomes a fluent reader.
Our Vision
To be the most cost effective and convenient solution for struggling readers in the United States, Canada and beyond by providing the most effective solution for improving reading fluency and comprehension for both dyslexic and reading delayed readers. We strive to be excellent by exceeding our parents and learners expectations by living our core values.
Our Values
In our relationships with parents, learners and ourselves we will exemplify: complete honesty and integrity, exceptional customer service to all our parents and students, professional excellence, innovation through knowledge sharing and teamwork, lifelong learning, and embracing diversity.
The origin story
In 1990 our founder, Bob Almack realized that many students in his special ed classes were very creative, but could barely read. Many students felt that they were stupid and inadequate because of their reading disability. He saw firsthand that students weren't lazy; they just needed a different, more effective approach to instruction. Bob was one of the first teachers to use technology to effectively teach kids to read. He realized that becoming literate was life changing for these kids.
In 2002, parents of this student donated $10 000 to purchase a computer for each student so that each student could train everyday. This created what was almost certainly the first reading lab to overcome dyslexia in a Canadian school.
They had spent $1000s over many years with little improvement in her reading. After the results they saw, they were happy to donate!
By 2005, because of the parent donation, all students were able to train during each class . Each student had an IEP for their reading disability. They would train 5 days a week for approximately 30 minutes.
In 2007, Bob was awarded the Durham District School Board Outstanding Teacher Award. The award recognized his pioneering work teaching dyslexic teens to read.
What drives us forward.
● Our approach: We use the science of reading, tech, and human support to help students—especially those with dyslexia—build confidence and skills like decoding and fluency.
● The big problem: Bob noticed that while students could make great progress with consistent, targeted practice, it was hard to get. High-quality, one-on-one tutoring is expensive, and schools are often stretched thin.
● Our mission: We want to make effective reading help accessible to everyone. Reading is about more than school grades; it impacts confidence, life choices, and future opportunities.
● How we've evolved: We started as an intervention service and grew into a full digital platform. Today, we offer everything from dyslexia screening to personalized daily practice and ongoing tutor support, making it easier for families to get the help they need at home.
● The bottom line: We’re here to give struggling readers a better path forward and help them feel capable and confident again.
Why we started.
Online Reading Tutor was created to help struggling readers get the kind of support that can change the direction of their lives.
For many students, reading difficulty is not a matter of intelligence, motivation, or effort. They are bright, capable learners who simply need reading instruction delivered in a way that works for them — structured, consistent, supportive, and designed to build one skill at a time.
Online Reading Tutor combines the science of reading, technology, and human support to help students strengthen the skills they need to become more confident, capable readers. Our program is designed for students with dyslexia, suspected dyslexia, and other reading challenges, as well as families who are looking for a more accessible and consistent alternative to traditional tutoring.
Our goal is simple: help more people learn to read well, so they can participate more fully in school, work, and life.
Your dyslexic learner can permanently improve!
We improve reading comprehension by developing fluent, automatic decoding skills. Students build strong roots in the five areas outlined by the National Reading Panel: Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension.