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Job-Embedded PD makes the difference in Fulton County, Georgia

May 11, 2023
 
 

 

Fulton County Schools in Georgia is a diverse school district serving large parts of the Atlanta area. In 2019 the district’s special education department recognized the need for improved reading instruction for their students. They sought to address all components of decoding, including phonemic awareness, word recognition, and reading accuracy, as well as a way to help develop students’ vocabulary and comprehension for oral and written language. 

 

Fulton County selected Lindamood-Bell to provide initial and ongoing professional development in the Seeing Stars® and Visualizing and Verbalizing® (V/V®) programs. Seeing Stars addresses all components of decoding, while V/V addresses vocabulary and comprehension. The district decided to implement a phased-in model over five years, allowing the district to provide workshops and effectively support at least 100 new teachers each year. 

 

During the second year of implementation, Fulton County began expansion into additional elementary school sites, as well as several district middle schools.  Providing job-embedded professional development to middle school staff will allow upper elementary students to continue to receive process-based instruction and close the achievement gap as they move into secondary education. Teachers have been receiving the initial Level 1 workshop, and access to asynchronous review and next-step Level 2 professional development coursework to continue to grow their skills. 

 

Crucially, Fulton County Schools recognized the need for ongoing job-embedded professional development through Lindamood-Bell consultants present in live sessions via Zoom. This level of sustained and rigorous support has been a key factor in the quality and fidelity of instruction, a model supported by best practices in teacher preparation and effectiveness. 

 

During these live sessions, Lindamood-Bell consultants have been able to interact directly with students and teachers to model, co-teach, and provide feedback on lessons in real-time. They have also provided lesson plans and written session analyses to teachers. This has been supplemented by monthly Professional Learning Community meetings between Lindamood-Bell consultants and Fulton County staff. Building leaders have also been given opportunities to observe instruction alongside a Lindamood-Bell Project Director to help provide them with a better understanding of what instruction should look like, and how they can continue to support their teachers with implementation.

 

During the 2021-22 school year, Fulton County special education teachers implemented Lindamood-Bell® instruction to address the specific needs of this student population. One thousand six hundred eighty-eight(1,688) students received primarily Seeing Stars instruction to develop symbol imagery and phonemic awareness for reading. Instruction was delivered by Fulton County teachers who received professional development in the programs developed by Lindamood-Bell’s founders. Students in grades K-8 received small group instruction as close to daily as feasible for 30-45 minutes. Student gains were measured with the i-Ready Reading Diagnostic. (Note: Some small groups received Visualizing & Verbalizing instruction for language comprehension and thinking.)

 

 

RESULTS:
On average, Fulton County Schools achieved significant improvements in overall reading placement for their LindamoodBell students. In fall i-Ready® testing, 1,382 out of 1,688 students were two or more levels below the target for their grade. In spring testing, 1,112 students were two or more levels below, a decrease of 20%. Furthermore, the number of students on or above level in overall reading scores grew from 28 in fall testing to 186 in spring testing, an increase of 664%. The results of this study illustrate that Lindamood-Bell instruction leads to improved reading, which is essential to achieving success with school curricula.

PROFILE: Special Education Students – End-of-Year Results 
Number of Students: 1,688
Grade Levels: Kindergarten-8th Grade
Lindamood-Bell Programs Implemented: Seeing Stars®

Outcome Measures:
• i-Ready® Reading Diagnostic

 

 

The district and Lindamood-Bell are continuing their five-year partnership in 2023-24. Teacher workshops and ongoing professional development will be provided for Fulton County staff. 

 

Contact us to learn more about how Lindamood-Bell can make a difference for your students.

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Join Paul Worthington, Lindamood-Bell’s Director of Research and Development, as he dives into what’s been missing from past literacy initiatives and how Lindamood-Bell is making a real impact with proven results.
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Lindamood-Bell helps students of all ages and abilities excel in reading, comprehension, and math.
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Are you energetic, positive, and passionate about helping students succeed? Join Lindamood-Bell as a tutor (clinician) and make a difference this summer!
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Is your child facing challenges in reading, comprehension, or math? Our evidence-based instruction can help them catch up or get ahead.
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👩‍🏫 For Educators: Small-group instruction allows you to give targeted support, increase student engagement, and tailor lessons to individual needs.
👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents: At Lindamood-Bell Learning Centers, your child can get the same great results at over 40% off individual instruction! 🎯 Our small-group instruction offers high-quality, evidence-based learning at a more affordable price.
Discover why small groups are a game-changer! Read more at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Make a Difference This Summer! 🌞📚
Looking for a rewarding summer job? Lindamood-Bell is hiring enthusiastic and positive individuals to work as clinicians (tutors)! Join our team and help students build essential learning skills in a supportive, engaging environment.
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View Open Positions - Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🎧 New Podcast Episode Alert! 🎧
In this inspiring episode, we meet Ben, a student whose life was transformed by Lindamood-Bell instruction. Once the kid everyone laughed at during read-alouds, Ben shares his powerful journey of overcoming school challenges and gaining confidence. With Lindamood-Bell’s support, he not only improved his reading and comprehension but also cleared the path toward his dream career in the culinary arts! 🍴✨
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Attention, Teachers! 🎓 At Lindamood-Bell, our evidence-based approach helps educators develop their students' essential sensory-cognitive skills, laying the foundation for lasting academic success. Discover how our unique multi-sensory techniques can elevate your teaching and unlock student potential! Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Make an Impact This Summer – We're Hiring at Lindamood-Bell!

Looking for a meaningful summer job? Join our team and help students build learning skills and confidence! We're hiring enthusiastic, positive individuals to work in our learning centers. As a Clinician (Tutor), you'll receive paid training using our proven, evidence-based approach!

📌 Apply today and make a difference!
🔗 View our open positions and get started! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Experience a school that fits your child’s unique learning needs! 🌟 Lindamood-Bell Academy is a K-12 private school that combines our renowned sensory-cognitive instruction with a personalized curriculum and a supportive learning environment. With the flexibility to attend online or in person, students can thrive in a way that works best for them! 🎓✨ Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoobellofficial.
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