Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction to Support the Virginia Literacy Act
Lindamood-Bell has been approved by the Virginia Department of Education to improve K-8 literacy outcomes for the Commonwealth’s students.
Our approach and interventions were approved based on our research and evidence in improving phonological awareness, phonics, word study, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Interventions include explicit and systematic instruction for students who persistently struggle to master reading skills.
There is also a focus on early literacy. Across the Commonwealth, one in three K-2 students are reading below benchmark, and far too many third graders are not passing their Reading Standards of Learning, according to the Department of Education. The Virginia Literacy Act aims to support evidence-based instruction and provide in-service training for teachers.
In Virginia, Lindamood-Bell has partnered recently with Fauquier, Frederick, Prince William, and Dinwiddie counties. Hundreds of educators across the Commonwealth have also attended our workshops.
“Not only have I seen significant progress in reading skills but also a major change in the students’ attitudes towards reading. They are much more confident and willing to actively participate in reading activities due to the Seeing Stars instruction they have been receiving this year.” – Sue Wilt, Educator from Fauquier County Schools.
“Their growth is a result of the direct, explicit use of the specific language that the Lindamood-Bell Seeing Stars program incorporates into its instruction to stimulate students’ symbol imagery for orthographic processing… I feel [it] has made all the difference in their progress in reading and spelling.” – Dawn Martin, Educator from Fauquier County Schools.
An industry leader in reading interventions and professional development for more than 35 years, Lindamood-Bell partners with schools to increase literacy skills, especially for struggling readers and students with disabilities.
Programs approved by VA Department of Education:
Key Features
Seeing Stars develops symbol imagery as a foundational skill for reading. Often a critical missing piece in popular reading and dyslexia interventions, symbol imagery is explicitly and systematically developed for orthographic mapping, fast word retrieval, fluency, and global reading skills. Seeing Stars aligns to all instructional principles and components of a structured literacy approach (SLA). However, unlike many SLA interventions that focus predominantly on or overemphasize phonemic awareness, Seeing Stars systematically integrates phonological AND orthographic processing necessary for automaticity in word reading skills.
Visualizing and Verbalizing develops concept imagery as a foundational skill for language comprehension and higher-order thinking. The program provides systematic and explicit instruction based on how the brain processes language for comprehension, stimulating the sensory-cognitive skill of mental imagery. This differs from typical SLA approaches based primarily on the Simple View of Reading since many students may struggle with reading comprehension despite good decoding and oral vocabulary skills.
To request a sample set of materials and free program overview, call 800-233-1819.
Sustained Professional Development
Lindamood-Bell offers levels of professional development, which are key components for quality instruction with fidelity. Most programs provide only one- to two-day inservices, with minimal or no follow-up support. Evidence-based practices require rigorous, ongoing professional learning. After educators complete a comprehensive workshop, Lindamood-Bell provides job-embedded support throughout the year, including extended school year sessions and summer academies. Professional development is conducted online while teachers work directly with students. This enables instructional experts to model the steps and provide feedback to teachers for continuous improvement. Download our Levels of PD.
View Schedule of Level 1 Program Workshops and Pricing or Contact us to discuss a group inservice and levels of PD customized to meet your needs.
Evidence-Based
Our approach has been implemented in thousands of school systems, serving struggling readers and students with dyslexia since the late 1990s. The programs include a strong research base in the cognitive science of learning and hundreds of school case studies demonstrating significant gains in reading. For example:
- District-wide K-2 instruction and K-12 dyslexia initiative – Accelerating student learning in Fort Smith Public Schools, Arkansas.
- Peer-reviewed research – Rewiring the dyslexic brain with Seeing Stars intervention. Changing the intrinsic connectivity of the brain’s reading network with Visualizing and Verbalizing intervention.
Profiles of Success – See how one district focused on professional development to implement best practices based on the science of reading. Watch Webinar
We look forward to working with you to help all students reach their learning potential!
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