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Profiles of Success | Spotlight on Fort Smith Public Schools

Aug 7, 2019
 
 

Background

Fort Smith Public Schools in Fort Smith, Arkansas, serves a large percentage of students who are at-risk of reading failure. Beginning in the 2017-18 school year, Fort Smith Public Schools implemented Lindamood-Bell® instruction to address the specific needs of dyslexic students and provide a solid foundation for all early learners. The partnership has been cost-effective for schools and life-changing for students.

Watch them speak about their experience.

Click to read about their successful summer reading program.

 

Professional Development

More than 300 teachers, including all K-2 classroom teachers, special education teachers, and reading interventionists, attended workshops to learn the steps of Visualizing and Verbalizing for Language Comprehension and Thinking, and Seeing Stars for Reading Fluency and Spelling.  The programs, written by Lindamood-Bell co-founder, Nanci Bell,  address the imagery-language foundation that underlies reading, spelling, language comprehension, memory, and critical thinking.

 After the workshops, teachers continued learning throughout the year with job-embedded professional development. Support was provided in a cost-effective manner, via state-of-the-art telepresence coaching.

Professional Development:

 

Results | Tier 3 Students

Student gains were measured with a universal screener, the Istation ISIP Phonemic Awareness subtest. In Fall 2017, 210 first grade students scored in the lowest group, Tier 3, for Phonemic Awareness. Students scoring in the lowest tier qualify for immediate small-group reading intervention.

In January, the number of students in the lowest tier was reduced to 128, and by April, only 96 students still scored in the lowest tier. Crucially, these changes were reflected across the most at-risk subpopulations of Economically Disadvantaged, Special Education, and English Language Learners. The results of this study illustrate that Lindamood-Bell instruction in the Seeing Stars® program leads to improved reading, which is essential to achieving success with school curricula.

 

 

Longitudinal Results | Classroom Instruction

K-2 classroom implementation addressed a district goal of preventing literacy deficits from ever being established. All Kindergarten through second grade teachers across the 19 elementary schools attended Seeing Stars and Visualizing and Verbalizing workshops. Teachers implemented the programs 15 minutes per day as a supplement to their core reading program, with support provided by Lindamood-Bell’s online job-embedded professional development team.

At the beginning of 2017-18, almost as many students (999) scored in the lowest tier on overall reading, as scored in the highest tier (1,283). Students scoring in Tier 3 are required by state law to receive intervention, placing substantial pressure on the district’s capacity. As a result of implementing sensory-cognitive instruction in the whole classroom K-2 setting, by April of 2019, only 621 students scored in the lowest tier (a reduction of 378 students), with 1,862 students scoring in the highest tier (an increase of 579 students). 

 

These changes were reflected across subpopulations of Economically Disadvantaged, Special Education, and English Language Learners. The results of this study illustrate that implementing Lindamood-Bell instruction in the Seeing Stars and Visualizing and Verbalizing programs in whole classroom settings leads to improved reading, which is essential to achieving success with school curricula.

Read about Fort Smith‘s success in a recent article in the Entertainment Fort Smith Magazine titled, “Comprehensive Early Intervention Results Positive.”

 

Learn More

Schools partner with Lindamood-Bell for our expertise in research-validated programs that work within a Response to Intervention (RtI) framework and are aligned with state standards, including Common Core. We are uniquely prepared to help schools meet the needs of students with dyslexia.  

Explore our professional development workshops and contact us with any questions or to discuss how your school can get started: 800-233-1819.


Connect with us
📅 Join us on Thursday, October 3, for the Lindamood-Bell Academy Virtual Open House! Discover the unique, dynamic school experience your child can thrive in this year:
 
✓ Evidence-based programs
✓ Personalized K-12 curriculum
✓ Engaging instruction—available in-person or live online

🌟 Special Offer: Enroll now and save 15% on one month’s tuition!
👉 Register today at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial
At Lindamood-Bell Academy, we tailor learning plans to each student’s needs, using unique sensory-cognitive instruction to unlock their full potential. 🌟Special Offer: Enroll now and enjoy 15% off a month of tuition!

📅 Join us on Thursday, October 3, for our Lindamood-Bell Academy Virtual Open House. Learn more and register at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
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#LindamoodBellAcademy #LindamoodBell
Diagnosed with dyslexia in fifth grade, Miss Massachusetts 2024, Kiersten Khoury, first came to Lindamood-Bell as a student. Today, she’s using her platform to advocate for literacy and inspire others on their reading journey. Learn more at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbelllofficial.

✨ Imagine what your student could achieve with Lindamood-Bell! Discover our unique, sensory-cognitive approach and get started today. Special offer through September: Apply the cost of your evaluation to instruction! 💡 Plus, online students may qualify for 20% off their first week. Don’t miss out —⏳Speak with our learning center today!
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#lindamoodbell #testimonial #dyslexia
🎙️ New Podcast Episode Alert! 🎙️
In this episode, Dr. Pasternack discusses the role of tiered intervention in preventing unnecessary referrals, the importance of teacher preparation and professional development, and the necessary components of effective literacy instruction. 
👂Listen now at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial
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#lindamoodbell #podcast #scienceofreading
Attention Educators! Join us this October in San Luis Obispo, California, for in-person Lindamood-Bell Workshops! 🌟
 
Discover evidence-based programs proven to help students with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism. Our approach, grounded in the cognitive science of learning, aligns with the science of reading and structured literacy.
 
📅 Register by 9/30/24 and enjoy a $100 discount on any workshop!
Use code: back2school100 at checkout.
 
✨Register today! ✨Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🚀 Unlock Your Child’s Potential with Lindamood-Bell Academy! 📚

Our unique sensory-cognitive approach helps students learn to their potential. We tailor learning to meet your child’s unique needs, in person or live online. Watch your child soar academically and build confidence like never before.

🌟Special Offer: Enroll now and enjoy 15% off a month of tuition!

Don’t miss this opportunity—visit our website for more details and start the journey toward success! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
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#lindamoodbell #lindamoodbellacademy #testimonial
📚 Join Us for a Special Live Parent Forum!
🗓️ Wednesday, September 25
🕖  10 AM PDT/1 PM EDT/6 PM BST

📍This Zoom event will also stream live on Facebook
 
Emmy’s mom, Alyson, will share how Lindamood-Bell’s online instruction helped her energetic kindergartener catch up in reading and spelling. Lindamood-Bell’s Director of Research and Development, Paul Worthington, will be on hand to review how student gains from online instruction are equivalent to gains from in-person instruction. ✨ Don’t miss this inspiring story! Register now. ✨ Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
📚 Tips for Students with ADHD
Attention challenges don’t always exist in isolation. Students with ADHD often face additional challenges with literacy and learning. At Lindamood-Bell, we provide personalized instruction that addresses the root causes of these difficulties.
✨ Special offer through September: Apply the cost of your evaluation to instruction! Plus, online students may be eligible for 20% off their first week.
💡 Discover more strategies and tips in our latest blog post! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Lindamood-Bell provides tailored instruction for students of all ages and abilities in reading, comprehension, and math.
🌟 Customized one-to-one sessions
🧑‍🏫 Available both in-person and online
📈 Effective for students with learning challenges, such as dyslexia, autism, and ADHD

👉 Help your child build confidence and achieve academic success. Discover more and get started today!

Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
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#lindamoodbell #autism #autistic #testimonial
Lindamood-Bell workshops prepare teachers to use evidence-based programs proven to help students with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism. Our approach, grounded in the cognitive science of learning, aligns with the science of reading and structured literacy.
 
📅 Register by 9/30/24 and enjoy a $100 discount on any workshop!
Use code: back2school100 at checkout.
 
Learn more and get started today!  Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
📚 Our Newton Learning Center recently welcomed Miss Massachusetts 2024, Kiersten Khoury, a former Lindamood-Bell student and passionate literacy advocate. Her inspiring journey with dyslexia made a lasting impression on our students.
Kiersten’s visit kicked off a book drive, a community initiative to foster a love of reading by collecting new children’s books for local literacy programs.
Visit our website to learn more and hear Kiersten’s incredible story—it’s sure to inspire learners of all ages! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
We’re honored to be part of your journey, Kiersten, and can’t wait to cheer you on as you continue to Miss America! 👑🎉
Students of all ages and abilities thrive at Lindamood-Bell Academy! 🎓✨

We tailor learning to meet your child’s unique needs with proven, evidence-based instruction, in person or live online. Watch your child soar academically and build confidence like never before.

🌟Special Offer: Enroll now and enjoy 15% off a month of tuition!

Don’t miss this opportunity—visit our website for more details and start the journey toward success! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
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#lindamoodbell #lindamoodbellacademy #testimonial
📚 Educators, Let's Partner for Success!
Looking to elevate your next teacher inservice? Partner with us and receive complimentary follow-up support all year long! 🌟
Our approach, grounded in the cognitive science of learning, aligns with the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy. It’s proven effective for all students—early learners, struggling readers, and those with dyslexia, dyscalculia, autism, and more.
🔍 Get the details and request a quote for your school or district today! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🎧 New Podcast Episode! 🎧
Shelly, a Lindamood-Bell Academy parent, shares how she found the perfect school for her daughter, Brooklyn, who has dyslexia. Discover how our supportive environment helped Brooklyn thrive academically while nurturing her curiosity. ✨
Listen now at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial
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#LindamoodBell #LindamoodBellAcademy #podcast #dyslexia #testimonial
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