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Assessments 101: Identify and Address Why Your Students are Struggling

Sep 9, 2016
 
 

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Students in Tiers II and III can spend years receiving services and still struggle in school. Many of these students lack the basic connections needed for reading and comprehension, and the root cause of their weakness may not be addressed with traditional interventions.

 

This does not have to be the case.

 

We believe all students can learn how to read and comprehend to their potential.

 

Reading requires an integration of component parts which must be developed for each individual. While individuals have learning differences, the processes required for reading are not different. The diagram below symbolically represents the subskills which integrate for independent, global reading.

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The Primary Cause of Weak Language and Literacy Skills

Reading is an integration of processing skills: phonological processing, word attack, orthographic processing, word recognition, contextual fluency, oral vocabulary, and comprehension. The primary cause of a weakness in language and literacy skills is a weakness in one or more of the following:

 

Phoneme awareness – The ability to auditorily perceive sounds within words.

Symbol imagery – The ability to create mental imagery for sounds and letters within words.

Concept imagery – The ability to create mental representations for the whole; the dynamic imagery of actions, scenes, movement, etc.

 

The right instruction can bring these abilities to consciousness and change an individual’s ability to read and comprehend.

 

Aligning Student Needs and Instruction

Use assessments to identify specific weaknesses (phoneme awareness, symbol imagery, or concept imagery); and turn those weaknesses into strengths by addressing them head-on.

 

Consider the following for students who have been identified for services:

 

1. Assessing the Skills Needed for Reading

Review your current testing protocol to ensure there is a clear picture for student ability in each of the component parts of reading. More general assessments will not provide the information necessary to make decisions about instruction.

rti-blog-test-skills-graphic
2. Addressing Individual Learning Needs

It is often easy to spot a student who is having a difficult time with reading. Skill assessments help educators know why their student is struggling as well as provide them with ideas for what to do to help.
For example, a student who struggles with reading may have good word attack skills but poor word recognition (see Student A below), or may have deficits in both areas (Student B). Some students may be struggling with reading comprehension due to a weakness in decoding (Students A and B), or may have a separate comprehension issue (Student C).

rti-blog-skills-assessed-table

3. Instruction That Makes the Connection

Instruction that changes learning is based on an individual’s needs. Use the results from the skills assessed to choose an intervention that will address the cause of your student’s weaknesses. Too often, students are provided with services that only address symptoms. For example, traditional reading remediation programs focus on how to sound out words as well as reading and spelling rules. While these activities have value, they do not affect how a student is processing language.

 

Lindamood-Bell’s research-validated programs address the imagery-language connection that is a silent partner to cognition and literacy—often the missing piece in helping students close the achievement gap. Our programs are listed below:

 

Reading and Spelling Programs

Seeing Stars (SI)

Symbol Imagery for Phonological and Orthographic Processing in Reading and Spelling

 

Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing(LiPS)

Phonemic Awareness for Reading, Spelling, and Speech

 

Comprehension Programs

Visualizing and Verbalizing(VV)

Concept Imagery for Language Comprehension, Thinking, and Memory

 

Talkies

Foundational Development in Concept Imagery, Oral Language Comprehension, and Expression

 

A note on group instruction:

Each of the sample students in the table above requires a different learning plan; those requirements, along with grade level performance, can be used for appropriate grouping.

 

Our unique programs can help diverse groups of students learn to read and comprehend to their potential, including students with minor to severe learning challenges and English Language Learners. Lindamood-Bell for Schools provides professional development to individual educators and groups; and we help schools set up RtI models that transform learning. Contact us to learn how to get started: 800-233-1819.

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This summer, you can count on Lindamood-Bell to help your child stay on track and reach their amazing potential. Our fun and effective instruction is evidence-based and tailored to each student's needs. Your child can return to school with stronger academic skills and new confidence. Enroll now for special savings on the first week of instruction! Hurry, summer spots are filling fast! ⏳
Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Lindamood-Bell summer instruction helps students catch up or get ahead in Reading, Comprehension, and Math—in a matter of weeks. Visit our website to learn about a summer program for your child. Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Hurry, summer spots are filling fast! ⏳

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Join us this summer—our learning centers are hiring now!
We’re seeking energetic, positive individuals who want to make a difference for students. The Clinician(Tutor) role includes paid training in our evidence-based approach. View our open positions and get started! Link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
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Lindamood-Bell Academy provides personalized learning that is tailored to each student's needs. Enroll now for special offers.
➢ 25% off a month of tuition
➢ $500 off Summer Learning in reading, comprehension, or math.
Get details at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Lindamood-Bell Academy is a school designed for your child! Our individualized school curriculum and evidence-based instruction are tailored to your student’s needs. Enroll now for 2023-24 and receive 25% off a month of tuition!
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New Podcast Episode!
Lindamood-Bell’s Director of Research & Development, Paul Worthington, shares valuable insights into common dyslexia misconceptions, peer-reviewed interventions, and the latest research. Listen and subscribe at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial
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#lindamoodbell #dyslexia #scienceofreading
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Imagine your child going back to school with better skills and new confidence!💪
Lindamood-Bell summer learning helps students catch up or get ahead in Reading, Comprehension, and Math—in a matter of weeks! ☀️📚
Find your local learning center at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Hurry, summer spots are filling fast! ⏳

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#lindamoodbell #dyslexia #dyslexic #testimonial #summercamp
Looking for a summer job where you can make a difference and gain valuable experience? Our learning centers are hiring now! The Clinician (Tutor) role includes paid training in our evidence-based approach. View our open positions and apply today. Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
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#lindamoodbell #nowhiring #hiring #summerjob
At Lindamood-Bell, we believe that all individuals can be taught to read to their potential—including those previously diagnosed with a learning difficulty such as dyslexia. Visit our website to learn more about common dyslexia misconceptions, the latest research, and how Lindamood-Bell summer instruction can help your child. Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Our free webinar is now available on demand. Lindamood-Bell's Director of Research and Development, Paul Worthington, shares valuable insights into common dyslexia misconceptions, peer-reviewed interventions, and the latest research. Watch now at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
New Podcast Episode!
Lindamood-Bell for Schools Director of Development, Dave Kiyvyra, is joined by Heidi O’Leary, the Director of Special Education for Maine School Administrative District 75. They discuss how the district successfully implemented evidence-based literacy instruction. Listen and subscribe at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial
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#lindamoodbell #specialeducation #scienceoflearning #dyslexia #teachersofinstagram #scienceofreading
Lindamood-Bell Academy provides individualized school curriculum and evidence-based instruction. The Academy can be an ideal setting for students previously diagnosed with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning challenges. 
Now enrolling for the 2023-24 school year! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
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#LindamoodBellAcademy #LindamoodBell #EnrollingNow #privateschool #PersonalizedLearning #Dyslexia #ADHD
Lindamood-Bell is excited to announce Tutor(clinician) job openings!
✅ Prior teaching experience is not required
✅ Paid training in programs used by Lindamood-Bell 
✅ Internship credits may be available 
Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of others? Learn more and apply today! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
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#LindamoodBell #SummerPositions #JoinOurTeam  #NowHiring
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