We provide free one-on-one tutoring using the Orton-Gillingham method of teaching reading, writing, and spelling. Lessons are structured, sequential and tailored to each student. Using techniques such as letter cards, color coding, blending sounds out loud, rhythm activities, and finger tracing, we work to improve phonological awareness, reading speed, accuracy, fluency, and comprehension.
Our services are free for low-income children and adults with dyslexia or a language based learning disability. All students must verify their income eligibility as part of the application process.
We use the federal income guidelines for Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARM) to determine if you are eligible.
Eligibility is evaluated on two factors: your income, and whether our program can help you/your child with your reading difficulties. We determine financial eligibility based on your tax return, a government assistance award letter, or recent paystubs (if the first two options are not available). You must meet the federal guidelines for the US Housing and Urban Development Adjusted Home Income Limits for the state of Maryland.
We determine if our program can help you based on the documentation we request during the application, and if indicated, an Initial Eligibility Screening test to better understand your learning needs.
Currently, we do not offer paid or sliding scale services. However, we’re more than happy to provide information on fee-based resources for dyslexic learners.
Yes, though at this time the majority of our tutors are based in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. We encourage you to still apply, however it may take a longer time to match you with a tutor.
No. Unfortunately, we are not able to provide services for people who reside outside of Maryland.
Yes. We do not need a formal diagnosis to tutor a student. We only need to verify financial eligibility and confirm whether our program can benefit the student, using the documents and screening results we collect during the application process.
No. DTP may conduct an Initial Eligibility Screening solely to determine if our program will be able to help you/your child with your reading issues. Any screenings and results conducted by DTP are for internal DTP use only and will not be released to any outside parties. While our screenings can indicate a dyslexic learning style, we do not provide a formal diagnosis.
Yes, we do! We have students ranging in age from 7 to over 80!
You can initiate the process and submit an Intake Form. However, we cannot move forward with an application without a Permission Slip signed by the child’s parent or legal guardian, along with their name, address, phone, and email.
DTP tutors receive 30 hours of Level I training in Orton-Gillingham, a proven, evidence-based approach to teaching reading, writing, and spelling. This is a multisensory, kinesthetic, structured, and sequential method aligned with the Science of Reading and is particularly effective for dyslexic learners. To learn more, visit ortongillingham.org.
You may stay in the program as long as you need, as long as you continue to attend tutoring and adhere to our Student Tutoring Policies and Procedures.
DTP provides free tutoring and other services to children and adults who qualify as low income based on federal guidelines for the US Housing and Urban Development Adjusted Home Income Limits for the state of Maryland.
If your income changes in any way that could affect your eligibility you are expected to report these changes to DTP. If you were previously turned down for services because you were over income and your income is reduced, we encourage you to apply again.
Every application starts with the submission of an Intake Form. For a complete step-by-step look at our application process, check out our How to Apply page.
For all students we need verification of income such as your most recent 1040 tax return, government assistance letter, or your two most recent paystubs to confirm financial eligibility.
For applicants under 18:
• a signed permission slip from the child’s parent/guardian.
• copies of any previous academic and psychological testing
• a copy of their IEP (if the child has an IEP).
• a copy of their most recent report card,
• a referral form to be completed by their teacher/school
For adult applicants:
• copies of any previous academic and psychological testing
• agreement to undergo a background check
• the name and contact information for your emergency contact
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your application, please contact our Outreach & Education Coordinator.
The timeline for the application process varies. It can take anywhere from 1 to 4 months to complete. The amount of time between submitting an intake and finding out if you are accepted depends largely on how quickly you submit the required documentation and your availability for Initial Eligibility Screening.
As part of the application process, DTP verifies your financial eligibility and whether our program can benefit you or your child. Also, DTP only provides services within Maryland, primarily within the greater Baltimore region.
If you were not admitted to our program, either you were over the income limits for financial eligibility, live outside of our service area, or your reading difficulties require a different type of support or intervention. If you have any questions about why you were turned down, you can contact our offices.
Once you are accepted into the program you will be placed on our waiting list for the next available tutor. The wait time once a student gets on our waiting list can be 2-5 months, depending on how long it takes DTP to find a tutor who can meet with you based on your schedule and location.
The primary consideration is where you live. When assigning a tutor to a student, we will always try to pair the student with the closest tutor.
All tutoring sessions take place in person. Orton-Gillingham is a multisensory and kinesthetic approach to learning that requires hands-on instruction. For students with dyslexic learning styles, in person tutoring is the gold standard and is the best path to real, measurable progress.
You can meet with your tutor in one of the 3 fully equipped tutoring rooms at The Rotunda. Or you may meet in any public location – libraries, schools, community centers, churches, or synagogues. Your tutor will make the arrangements for all locations. Tutors and students may NOT meet in a home or any other private setting.
First Meetings, Observations, and screening appointments always take place at our offices in The Rotunda.
Students and tutors are expected to meet at least one hour per week. However, you can meet more frequently if you and your tutor agree, and your schedules can accommodate it.
Yes. However, you should notify both DTP’s offices and your tutor of any changes in your availability during the summer break. If you are taking a vacation, you should notify both your tutor and DTP’s Tutor Coordinator of the start and end dates.
No. If your child is participating in DTP’s Summer Camp Program, they do not meet with their DTP tutor during camp. However, you and your tutor are expected to resume weekly tutoring as soon as camp ends.
Tutors fill out Monthly Reports to track hours and DTP screens students after every 30 hours of tutoring to chart a student’s growth.
If your tutor leaves DTP’s program, we will place you back on our waiting list and rematch you with a new tutor as soon as possible. We recognize that interrupting tutoring can be stressful, and we will make every effort to find an available tutor who can meet with you based on your schedule and location as quickly as we can.
DTP coordinates scheduling these appointments with you, our psychologists and instructors, and your tutors. You must notify DTP’s offices at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled appointment time if you need to cancel.
If we confirm an appointment with you and you fail to notify us 24 hours in advance, you will be billed $25 for each missed appointment. You will need to pay the no-show fee before DTP will reschedule the appointment.
• If you fail to show for an Initial Eligibility Screening 3 times in a row, we will not move forward with your application.
• If you fail to show for a First Meeting 3 times in a row, we will dismiss you from the program.
• If you fail to show for an Observation or Rescreening appointment 3 times in a row…
Regular attendance is essential for tutoring to make a difference in your or your child’s reading skills. One session per week is the minimum requirement. Repeated absences will prevent progress and if they persist may result in you/your child being placed on hold or dismissed from the program.
If you cannot make a scheduled tutoring session for any reason you are expected to let your tutor know at least 3 hours before the session is scheduled to start. We encourage you to try and reschedule the session with your tutor if possible. You should also notify the Tutor Coordinator at DTP.
Please remember that cancelling with less than 3 hours’ notice is considered an unexcused absence; 3 unexcused absences will result in dismissal from the program.
We recognize that things happen, and there may be extenuating circumstances from time to time. If you are experiencing difficulties that interfere with your/your child’s ability to regularly show up for tutoring, please contact our office so we can do our best to help you.
If your tutor fails to show for a scheduled tutoring session and did not notify you at least 3 hours before the start of the session, you should let the Tutor Coordinator know immediately.
Three such absences may result in the tutor’s dismissal, an require rematching you with a new tutor.
If your tutor does notify you but is frequently missing tutoring sessions, please contact the Tutor Coordinator so we can address the issue.
DTP matches tutors and students based on location and schedule availability. If you or your child move, or your schedule changes, you are expected to let both your tutor and DTP’s Tutor Coordinator know immediately.
If the move prevents you from continuing to work with your current tutor, DTP will place you back on our wait list and rematch you with a new tutor as soon as possible. We recognize that interrupting tutoring can be stressful, and we will make every effort to find an available tutor who can meet with you based on your schedule and location as quickly as we can.
DTP provides free tutoring and other services to children and adults who qualify as low income based on federal guidelines for Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARM).
If your income changes in any way that could affect your eligibility you are expected to report these changes to DTP. If you were previously turned down for services because you were over income and your income is reduced, we encourage you to apply again.
Any issues, concerns or specific needs regarding your or your child’s tutor or tutoring should be directed to the Tutor Coordinator. We are here to help you succeed. If you have an issue with a DTP staff member you should contact our Executive Director.