For parents of children who struggle with reading, finding the right support can feel overwhelming. You know your child is bright, but traditional methods just aren’t clicking, and you need a solution that works. This is where the Arkansas Education Freedom Account (EFA) program becomes a game-changer, providing the financial means to access specialized instruction. It allows you to invest in a curriculum designed for learners with differences like dyslexia. The good news is that a top-tier, research-based option is fully accessible through this program. The PRIDE Reading Program is a Education Freedom Accounts – Arkansas Curriculum Vendor with Classwallet, connecting you directly with our structured literacy curriculum. This guide will show you how to use your EFA to get the exact tools your child needs to become a confident, capable reader.
Key Takeaways
- Utilize Arkansas Education Freedom Accounts to fund your curriculum: These state-funded accounts provide direct financial support to families, which can be used to purchase comprehensive, research-based programs like PRIDE.
- Follow a simple ordering process with ClassWallet: To use your EFA funds, select your PRIDE materials on our website, choose the ClassWallet payment option, and then upload the invoice we send you directly to your EFA portal for approval.
- Start with the free placement assessment for guaranteed success: Before purchasing, use our assessment to identify your child’s exact needs. This ensures you begin at the right level of our Orton-Gillingham curriculum, setting your child up for confidence from the first lesson.
What Are Arkansas Education Freedom Accounts?
If you’re an Arkansas parent looking for more control over your child’s education, the state’s Education Freedom Account (EFA) program is a resource you’ll want to know about. This program provides funding directly to families, empowering you to choose the educational tools and environments that best fit your child’s unique learning needs. It’s a fantastic opportunity to invest in specialized curricula that can make a real difference in your child’s academic journey.
What is an Education Freedom Account (EFA)?
An Education Freedom Account, or EFA, is a state-funded account that gives parents financial resources for approved educational expenses. Think of it as a dedicated savings account for your child’s learning. The goal is to give you the flexibility to customize your child’s education, whether that means private school tuition or a tailored homeschool curriculum. The program is expanding, with the state planning for universal eligibility during the 2025-2026 school year. This initiative puts you in the driver’s seat, allowing you to select the best resources to help your child succeed.
Check Your Eligibility and Funding
For the 2024-2025 school year, families approved for an EFA will receive $6,856 per student. This significant amount of funding can make high-quality, specialized programs much more accessible. It’s particularly helpful for families of children with learning differences like dyslexia, who often thrive with specific, research-based instruction that may not be available in their local school. Eligibility requirements can change, so it’s always a good idea to check the official Arkansas Department of Education website for the most current information and application deadlines.
See How You Can Use EFA Funds
EFA funds are managed through a platform called ClassWallet and can be used for a wide range of approved expenses. This includes private school tuition, fees, uniforms, and educational therapies. Most importantly for many families, the funds can be used to purchase curriculum and instructional materials. This means you can use your EFA to invest in a comprehensive, structured literacy program like PRIDE. By choosing a curriculum that aligns with The Science of Reading, you can provide your child with a strong, evidence-based foundation for lifelong literacy.
Why the PRIDE Reading Program is So Effective
When you’re looking for a reading curriculum, the most important question is simple: does it work? We get it. You want a program that delivers real results and builds genuine confidence in your child or students. The PRIDE Reading Program is so effective because it’s built on a foundation of proven, research-based methods that align with how the brain actually learns to read. It’s not a system of temporary fixes or memorization tricks; it’s a comprehensive approach that gives students the tools to decode language for themselves. This ensures that learners of all kinds, especially those who find reading challenging, can build a strong and lasting foundation for lifelong literacy. Let’s look at the core elements that make our program a game-changer for so many families and schools.
The Orton-Gillingham Approach
At the heart of our program is the Orton-Gillingham approach, a gold standard for reading instruction. Think of it as a clear, logical roadmap for teaching reading, writing, and spelling in a way that just makes sense to the brain. Instead of asking students to guess or memorize, this method explicitly teaches the connections between letters and sounds in a systematic, step-by-step order. Each lesson builds directly on the one before it, creating a solid structure that prevents gaps in learning and frustration. This cumulative style is especially powerful for students who don’t thrive with traditional teaching methods, giving them a reliable path to follow as they master the building blocks of language and see their own progress.
Key Components of Structured Literacy
The PRIDE Reading Program is a structured literacy curriculum that fully aligns with the principles of the Science of Reading. This means our program is based on decades of research into how we learn best. Structured literacy is an umbrella term for instruction that is highly organized and teaches language in a specific sequence, from the simplest concepts to the most complex. It covers everything from phonology (the sounds in words) to syntax (how sentences are built) and semantics (what words mean). By teaching language in such a deliberate and organized way, we help students build a complete and accurate mental model of how reading works, which is essential for achieving true fluency and comprehension.
Our Multi-sensory Teaching Methods
One of the most powerful parts of the Orton-Gillingham method is its use of multi-sensory techniques. We know that children learn in different ways, so our lessons are designed to engage them through sight, sound, and touch simultaneously. A student might see the letter ‘b’, say its /b/ sound, and trace its shape in the air all at once. This kinesthetic, or touch-based, learning helps create stronger neural pathways, cementing concepts in a child’s memory far more effectively than just looking at a worksheet. Our homeschool curriculum is fully scripted and easy to follow, making these powerful, intensive phonics lessons accessible for every parent and educator to implement with confidence.
How We Support Students with Learning Differences
The PRIDE Reading Program was created specifically for any child who struggles with reading, including those with dyslexia, auditory or visual processing disorders, and speech deficits. For these learners, our explicit and systematic approach isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. We don’t leave anything to chance. The program breaks down complex reading skills into small, manageable pieces, allowing students to experience success and build momentum at every step. This process is fundamental for rebuilding the confidence that is often lost when a child feels like they are falling behind. By providing targeted, research-based instruction, we ensure every student has the support they need to become a capable and proud reader.
How to Use ClassWallet for Your PRIDE Purchase
Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility for an Arkansas Education Freedom Account, the next step is to access and use those funds. The state of Arkansas uses a platform called ClassWallet to manage EFA funds, making it simple for you to purchase approved educational materials and services. Think of it as a digital wallet specifically for your child’s education, ensuring that public money is spent transparently and efficiently. This system gives you direct control over your child’s learning resources while providing accountability.
Using your EFA funds to purchase the PRIDE Reading Program is a straightforward process designed to get our materials into your hands without any hassle. We work directly with the ClassWallet system to make it seamless. Let’s walk through the exact steps you’ll need to take, from setting up your account to getting your curriculum delivered to your door. Following this guide will help you feel confident as you invest in a structured literacy program that will make a real difference for your child.
Set Up Your ClassWallet Account
Your first step is to get acquainted with ClassWallet. Before you can make any purchases, you’ll need to create and activate your account through the portal provided by the Arkansas Department of Education. This account is your personal hub for viewing your available EFA balance, submitting purchase requests, and tracking all your expenses in one place. It’s designed to be a user-friendly tool for parents. Make sure all your information is entered correctly during setup to ensure a smooth approval process for your future purchases and to avoid any delays.
Order Your PRIDE Materials
With your ClassWallet account ready, you can now shop for the perfect PRIDE curriculum for your learner. The process begins on our website, not on the ClassWallet platform. You can browse our homeschool curriculum packages and add the right level for your child to your cart. When you proceed to checkout, simply choose “ClassWallet” as your payment method. We will then email you a detailed invoice for your order. This invoice is the key document you’ll need for the next step, so be sure to save it where you can easily find it.
Submit Invoices for Payment
After you receive the invoice from us, log back into your ClassWallet account. You will find a feature to upload and submit invoices for payment directly from your EFA funds. You’ll submit the PRIDE Reading Program invoice here for the state to review and approve. This step officially connects your purchase to your EFA funding. Once your scholarship program approves the purchase, we receive a notification and get right to work. PRIDE will then ship your complete curriculum package directly to you, so you can begin your structured literacy journey.
Manage Your EFA Funds
ClassWallet is your command center for all EFA spending, not just your PRIDE purchase. The system allows you to use your funds for a variety of approved educational expenses, including tuition, fees, uniforms, and other vital supplies. By keeping all your transactions in one place, you can easily manage your child’s educational budget throughout the school year. This ensures you can allocate your resources effectively and make the most of the financial support provided by the Education Freedom Account program to create a comprehensive and supportive learning environment for your child.
What’s Included in the PRIDE Reading Program?
When you choose the PRIDE Reading Program, you’re getting more than just a set of books. You’re investing in a complete, all-in-one literacy solution designed to support you and your learner every step of the way. Our program is built on the principles of Structured Literacy and the Science of Reading, ensuring every component works together to build a strong foundation for reading success. From the core teaching materials to the hands-on practice activities and ongoing support, we provide everything you need to teach reading with confidence. Let’s walk through exactly what you can expect to find inside.
Core Curriculum Materials
At the heart of our program is a comprehensive curriculum that provides explicit, systematic instruction. We use the highly effective Orton-Gillingham approach, which breaks down reading and spelling into manageable skills. This method is especially powerful for children with dyslexia and other learning differences, but it truly benefits all learners by leaving no room for confusion. Each kit includes a scripted, easy-to-follow teacher’s guide and all the student materials you need, like sound cards and activity packets. We’ve taken the guesswork out of teaching so you can focus on what matters most—helping your child thrive.
Decodable Books and Practice Materials
Practice is essential for building fluency and confidence, which is why our program includes a wonderful collection of engaging practice materials. Our decodable books are a key component, allowing students to apply the phonetic skills they’ve just learned in a real reading context. These aren’t just random stories; they are carefully crafted to align with the lessons, ensuring your child experiences success from the very first page. Along with our decodable readers, our multisensory activities and practice books make learning feel like play, reinforcing concepts through visual, auditory, and tactile experiences.
Digital Resources
We know that life as a parent or educator is busy, so we’ve made our program as user-friendly as possible. When you purchase a PRIDE Reading Program kit, you also get access to our digital Online Teaching Guide. This resource is a lifesaver for lesson planning and instruction, putting everything you need right at your fingertips. You can easily access your scripted lesson plans and review materials from your computer or tablet, making it simple to prepare for your next lesson. Whether you’re teaching in a homeschool setting or a traditional classroom, these digital tools help you stay organized and teach effectively.
Support Services
Our commitment to your child’s success doesn’t end when the box arrives at your door. We offer a full range of support services to guide you on your literacy journey. If you ever feel stuck or have questions about a specific lesson, you can get help from our team of experts. For families needing more intensive, one-on-one instruction, we also offer tutoring with certified PRIDE Reading Specialists. We believe every child deserves the chance to become a confident reader, and we’re here to provide the tools, resources, and expert support to make that happen.
How to Choose the Right PRIDE Materials for Your Child
With so many great resources available, picking the right starting point can feel like a big decision. But don’t worry, we’ve designed our program to be incredibly straightforward. The goal is to meet your child exactly where they are and give them the tools they need to feel confident and successful. By thinking through a few key areas, you can easily pinpoint the perfect materials to begin your child’s reading journey.
Think of it as creating a personalized learning plan. You’ll start by understanding your child’s specific needs, explore the curriculum options that fit best, and then layer in extra resources to support their growth. This thoughtful approach ensures you’re not just buying a program, but investing in a solution that truly works. Let’s walk through the simple steps to select the best PRIDE materials for your family.
Start with Assessment and Placement
Before you choose a curriculum level, the first and most important step is to understand your child’s current skills. The best way to do this is with our free PRIDE Placement Assessment. This isn’t a test your child can fail; it’s simply a tool to help you identify their specific strengths and areas where they need more support. Taking a few minutes to complete the assessment ensures you start with the right materials from day one, setting your child up for immediate success and preventing any frustration. It’s the foundation for building a learning plan that is both effective and encouraging.
Review Curriculum Package Options
Once you know your child’s placement level, you can explore our curriculum packages. The entire PRIDE Reading Program is built on the Orton-Gillingham approach, a multisensory method proven to be highly effective for teaching reading, writing, and spelling. Each package contains everything you need to teach the lessons, including a student workbook and a scripted online teaching guide that walks you through every step. Review the different levels to see which one aligns with your child’s assessment results. This ensures the content is challenging enough to promote growth but not so difficult that it becomes discouraging.
Consider Supplementary Resources
While our core curriculum is comprehensive, supplementary resources can make learning even more engaging. Depending on your child’s needs, you might want to add materials like our Little Lions Decodable Books, which give them practice reading fun stories with the skills they’re learning. We also offer practice books and alphabet books to reinforce foundational concepts. The digital teacher’s manual included in your curriculum package also makes it easy to plan lessons and stay organized. These additional tools are fantastic for providing extra practice and building your child’s confidence as they progress through the program.
Plan Your Investment
Investing in the right reading program is an investment in your child’s future. If you are an Arkansas resident approved for an Education Freedom Account (EFA), you can use these funds for your purchase. For the 2024-2025 school year, each eligible student receives $6,856, which can be applied to the PRIDE Reading Program materials through your ClassWallet account. This state-managed program makes it possible to access our research-based curriculum without the financial strain. Planning how you’ll use these funds allows you to get the complete curriculum and any supplementary materials your child needs to thrive.
How to Get Started with PRIDE
Ready to bring a powerful, research-based literacy program to your student or school? Getting started with PRIDE is a clear, step-by-step process. We’ve designed it to be straightforward, whether you’re a parent setting up a homeschool curriculum or an administrator implementing it across an entire school district. Our goal is to get these incredible tools into your hands so you can focus on what matters most: helping your students thrive.
Think of this as your friendly guide to getting everything set up for success. We’ll walk through the key steps, from gathering your documents to planning your first lessons. The journey to literacy success is an important one, and we’re here to support you from the very beginning. By following these simple steps, you can ensure a smooth start and feel confident as you begin teaching with our Orton-Gillingham-based program. We understand that starting something new can feel like a big undertaking, but our process is designed to remove the guesswork. We’ll show you exactly what you need to do, so you can move forward with clarity and excitement. Let’s get you and your student on the path to reading with confidence.
Gather Your Required Documents
Before you can order your materials, the first step is to get approved by your state’s scholarship program. For families in Arkansas, this means getting approved for the Education Freedom Account (EFA). This is a key step that confirms your eligibility and makes it possible to use your funds for our program. Taking care of this paperwork first ensures a smooth process when you’re ready to purchase your curriculum. It’s the foundational piece that puts everything else into motion. Think of it as your official green light to access the best resources for your student. If you need more information on funding options, we have a helpful guide on the various grants and scholarships that may be available to you.
Follow the Ordering Process
Once you have your EFA approval and are set up with ClassWallet, you’re ready to order! Simply head over to the PRIDE Reading Program website to select your materials. When you get to the checkout, choose ‘ClassWallet’ as your payment method. After you place your order, we will send you an invoice. You can then submit this invoice directly to ClassWallet for payment using your EFA funds. This streamlined process makes it easy to use your scholarship to purchase the exact homeschool curriculum or materials your child needs without any out-of-pocket stress. We’ve worked to make this as seamless as possible so you can avoid complicated reimbursement forms and get your materials quickly.
Plan Your Implementation Timeline
One of the best things about the PRIDE Reading Program is its flexibility. It’s not a rigid, one-size-fits-all system. Whether you are a homeschool parent teaching one child or an educator rolling out the curriculum for an entire school district, you can create a timeline that works for you. You can adapt the lessons to fit your schedule and your student’s unique pace. This flexibility allows you to integrate the program thoughtfully, ensuring a smooth and successful transition for everyone involved. Start by mapping out your weeks, setting realistic goals, and celebrating small wins along the way. This approach empowers you to be the expert on your student’s learning journey.
Use Our Support Resources
You’re never on your own when you use the PRIDE Reading Program. We provide a wealth of resources to help you every step of the way. A key tool is our digital teacher’s manual, which gives you easy access to lesson plans and teaching materials right from your computer or tablet. This makes planning your lessons simple and efficient, saving you valuable time. And if you ever need more personalized guidance, you can always connect with one of our certified PRIDE Reading Specialists. They are available to answer your questions and offer expert advice. We are here to make sure you feel confident and prepared to lead your student to reading success.
Find Additional Financial Support
Investing in the right reading curriculum is one of the most important decisions you can make for your child’s future. While the Arkansas Education Freedom Account (EFA) provides a fantastic foundation, we know that every dollar counts. That’s why it’s helpful to know about all the available financial resources that can work alongside your EFA funds.
Many families are able to supplement their EFA by tapping into state-specific grants, scholarships, and other programs designed to make specialized education more accessible. These opportunities can help cover the cost of curriculum, materials, and even tutoring services. Exploring these options ensures you can build a comprehensive and supportive learning environment for your child without financial strain. The key is knowing where to look and how to apply these funds to your PRIDE Reading Program purchase.
State-Specific Grants
We believe every child deserves access to effective literacy instruction, which is why the PRIDE Reading Program offers its own grants and scholarships in certain states. These opportunities are designed to help families receive our curriculum and materials at a reduced cost or even for free. Because availability can change, we encourage you to check our Grants & Scholarships page for the most current information and to see if your state is included. This is one of the most direct ways we partner with parents to bring our research-based reading instruction home.
Available Scholarships
Beyond the grants we offer directly, many states have scholarship programs that can be used for educational resources. For example, PRIDE is an approved provider for programs like Step Up for Students, which helps families get financial assistance for their children’s learning needs. We recommend researching educational scholarship accounts (ESAs) or grants specific to your state, especially those geared toward students with learning differences. These scholarships often work seamlessly with platforms like ClassWallet, allowing you to easily direct funds toward the PRIDE homeschool curriculum.
Payment Plans
While PRIDE Reading Program doesn’t offer internal payment plans, programs like the Arkansas EFA are structured to help you manage costs throughout the year. For the 2024-2025 school year, for instance, the state distributes the total EFA funds quarterly. This means you receive payments in installments through your ClassWallet account, which can make budgeting for larger curriculum packages much more manageable. This quarterly distribution acts like a payment plan, giving you a steady flow of funds to use for your child’s education as the school year progresses.
Other Funding Sources
Your search for support doesn’t have to end with state programs. Many local non-profits and community organizations offer grants specifically for children with learning challenges like dyslexia. It’s always worth checking with your local school district or parent advocacy groups to see if they are aware of any additional funding sources. Because PRIDE Reading Program is a recognized, structured literacy curriculum, it often meets the criteria for these types of grants. A little local research can uncover hidden gems that make a big difference for your family’s budget.
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Frequently Asked Questions
I live in Arkansas and have an Education Freedom Account. Can I use it to buy the PRIDE Reading Program? Yes, absolutely. The PRIDE Reading Program is an approved resource for families using Arkansas Education Freedom Accounts. The process is designed to be simple. You will place your order directly on our website and choose “ClassWallet” at checkout. We will then email you an invoice that you can upload to your ClassWallet portal for payment using your EFA funds.
My child doesn’t have a dyslexia diagnosis. Is this program still a good fit? While our program is a game-changer for students with dyslexia, it is designed to work for all learners. The Orton-Gillingham method provides a clear, systematic, and logical approach to reading that benefits any child. By teaching the rules of language explicitly, we help build a solid foundation that prevents reading gaps from forming in the first place, leading to greater confidence for every student.
I’m a parent, not a teacher. Will I be able to teach this curriculum effectively? You certainly will. We created our homeschool curriculum with parents in mind. Every lesson in our teaching guide is fully scripted, telling you exactly what to say and do. This takes all the guesswork out of the instruction. We’ve structured it so you can open the guide and start teaching with confidence, no prior experience necessary. Plus, if you ever have a question, our support team is here to help.
How do I know which level of the PRIDE Reading Program is right for my child? The best way to start is by having your child take our free online Placement Assessment. This isn’t a test to pass or fail, but rather a simple tool that helps you pinpoint your child’s exact instructional needs. Completing the assessment ensures you begin at the perfect level, which is key to making the experience positive and successful right from the start.
What if I don’t live in Arkansas? Are there other ways to get financial assistance? Many families find financial support through various state programs. We recommend visiting our website’s Grants & Scholarships page to see if PRIDE offers specific grants in your state. It’s also a great idea to research other education scholarship accounts (ESAs) or grants in your area, as our structured literacy curriculum often meets their requirements for funding.