Last Updated: 3/10/26
The Pacific Institute for Reading Excellence (“PIRE,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the information you share with us. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard information when you visit our website, submit an inquiry or application, schedule a consultation, participate in our services, or otherwise interact with us.
This Privacy Policy is intended to explain our data practices in a clear and accessible way. It should tell you what information we collect, how we use it, and with whom we may share it.
1. Who This Policy Applies To
This Privacy Policy applies to:
- visitors to our website;
- parents, guardians, and other adults who contact us or submit forms;
- families who inquire about or participate in our services; and
- information collected in connection with consultations, intake, placement, and service delivery.
Our services are intended to be arranged by a parent or legal guardian. We do not intend for children to independently submit applications or personal information through our website.
2. Information We Collect
A. Information You Provide Directly
We may collect information you provide to us directly, including:
- parent or guardian name;
- email address;
- phone number;
- child’s grade level;
- scheduling and consultation information;
- educational concerns or service-related information you choose to share;
- intake, placement, and program participation information;
- payment-related information, if applicable, through us or our payment providers;
- communications you send to us by email, form, or other means.
B. Information Collected Through Website Forms and Scheduling Tools
When you use our website forms or scheduling/application tools, we may collect:
- the information entered into the form;
- appointment selections and scheduling preferences;
- timestamps and submission details;
- technical data associated with the form or scheduling process, such as IP address, browser type, device information, and related usage data, where provided by our service providers.
C. Information Collected Automatically
When you browse our website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, such as:
- IP address;
- browser type;
- device type;
- operating system;
- referring page;
- pages visited;
- date and time of access;
- similar website usage data.
California consumer guidance notes that privacy policies should explain what categories of personal information are collected, how they are used, and who may access them.
D. Information Collected During Services
If you engage our services, we may collect service-related information reasonably necessary to:
- evaluate program fit;
- conduct intake and placement;
- provide intervention services;
- communicate with parents/guardians;
- track attendance, scheduling, and service delivery;
- prepare summaries, recommendations, or other service-related materials.
3. Children’s Information
Our services involve school-age children, but our website and forms are intended to be used by parents or legal guardians. If we have actual knowledge that we are collecting personal information online from a child under 13, we will handle that information in accordance with applicable law, including COPPA where applicable. FTC guidance states that covered operators must post a privacy policy and, where required, provide direct notice to parents and obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from children under 13.
Parents or guardians may contact us to ask questions about information submitted concerning their child.
4. How We Use Information
We may use collected information to:
- respond to inquiries;
- schedule and conduct consultations;
- determine whether our services are an appropriate fit;
- conduct intake and placement;
- deliver educational services;
- communicate with families;
- process payments or administrative tasks;
- maintain records related to services;
- improve website functionality, service quality, and operations;
- protect the security and integrity of our systems and services;
- comply with legal obligations and enforce our policies or agreements.
5. When We Share Information
We do not sell personal information.
We may disclose information to the following categories of third parties as reasonably necessary to operate our website and services:
- website hosting and security providers;
- form, scheduling, and application providers;
- video conferencing or communications providers;
- payment processors;
- email and productivity providers;
- analytics or technical service providers, if used;
- legal, regulatory, or law enforcement authorities when required by law or when reasonably necessary to protect rights, safety, or security.
California law requires privacy policies to identify categories of personally identifiable information collected and categories of third parties with whom that information may be shared.
We may also disclose information:
- if required by subpoena, court order, or other legal process;
- to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of clients or others;
- in connection with a business transition such as a reorganization, merger, or asset transfer, if ever applicable.
6. Service Providers We Use
Depending on how you interact with us, we may use third-party providers to help us operate our website and services, such as:
- WordPress/website hosting providers;
- Jotform or similar form/scheduling tools;
- Zoom or similar communications platforms;
- email and calendar providers;
- payment processors.
These providers may process information on our behalf subject to their own terms and privacy practices and, where applicable, contractual restrictions.
7. Session Recordings
At this time, PIRE does not routinely record intervention or consultation sessions as part of its standard practice.
If we decide in the future to record any consultations or sessions, we will update this Privacy Policy and, where appropriate, provide additional notice and obtain any required consent before doing so.
8. Data Retention
We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including:
- responding to inquiries;
- administering scheduling and consultations;
- providing services;
- maintaining business and tax records;
- complying with legal obligations;
- resolving disputes and enforcing agreements.
FTC business guidance recommends collecting only what is needed and retaining it only as long as necessary for the purpose for which it was collected.
When information is no longer reasonably necessary, we will delete it, de-identify it, or securely dispose of it, subject to legal or operational retention requirements.
9. Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures designed to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use, alteration, or disclosure. However, no internet transmission or electronic storage system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
10. Your Choices and Requests
You may contact us to:
- request access to information you have provided to us;
- request correction of inaccurate information;
- request deletion of information, where applicable;
- ask questions about our privacy practices.
Before responding, we may need to verify your identity or authority to make the request.
California consumer guidance notes that some businesses must explain what rights consumers have regarding their personal information and how those rights may be exercised.
11. External Services and Links
Our website or communications may reference or integrate third-party services. Their privacy practices are governed by their own policies, not ours. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party tools you use in connection with our website or services.
12. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect operational, legal, or technology changes. When we do, we will revise the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page. If changes are material, we may provide additional notice where appropriate.
13. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at:
Pacific Institute for Reading Excellence
Email: privacy@readingexcellence.org
Website: readingexcellence.org