Barton Reading & Spelling is widely considered the most effective home-based Orton-Gillingham program for students with dyslexia. Created by Susan Barton, a dyslexia specialist, the system provides the same caliber of structured literacy instruction that professional tutors charge $75–$150/hour to deliver.

The program consists of 10 levels, each containing detailed lesson plans, training DVDs for the parent/tutor, and color-coded tiles used for multi-sensory word building. Every lesson is fully scripted — the parent reads exactly what to say, when to present tiles, and how to correct errors. Training videos demonstrate each lesson type before you teach it.

At a Glance

What to Know

Barton is not a general spelling curriculum — it's a clinical intervention program. A free screening test determines whether a student is ready for Level 1, and whether the parent/tutor can accurately distinguish phonemes (a prerequisite for teaching the program). The systematic progression addresses the specific neurological patterns that make reading and spelling difficult for dyslexic learners.

At $300–$400 per level, Barton is a significant investment. However, compared to professional tutoring (which can cost $3,000–$6,000+ per level), it represents enormous savings. Many families report transformative results — students who couldn't read at grade level making multiple years of progress within months.