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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
Lindamood-Bell Academy is a school where every student can thrive! We develop foundational skills and provide a personalized learning experience—in person or live online. 
Enroll now and enjoy 25% off one month of tuition! 
🌟 Learn more and get started today! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
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#lindamoodbellacademy #lindamoodbell #privateschool #personalizedlearning
📖🐾 Roan & Sammy’s Incredible Journey!
In the December issue of Real Simple, Ruth Gentry shares how Sammy, a disabled rescue dog, became a source of strength and support as Roan worked to overcome dyslexia. With Lindamood-Bell instruction and Sammy by his side, Roan’s confidence has soared—and now he reads to Sammy every night!
✨ Watch Roan read from the Real Simple article about their inspiring story! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
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#lindamoodbell #dyslexia
🎧 New Podcast Episode 🎧
Discover how Lindamood-Bell’s online instruction transforms learning. Alyson shares how her young daughter made big strides in reading and spelling, while Paul Worthington, our Director of Research and Development, highlights data showing students thrive online just as they do in person.
🎙️ Listen now, follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial
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#LindamoodBell #podcast #testimonial
Lindamood-Bell Academy is a school where every student can thrive! We develop foundational skills and provide a personalized learning experience—in person or live online. 
Enroll now and enjoy 25% off one month of tuition! 🌟Learn more and get started today! 
Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
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#lindamoodbellacademy #lindamoodbell #privateschool #personalizedlearning
This Thanksgiving, we’re reminded there’s always something to be thankful for—and at Lindamood-Bell, we’re especially thankful for you!
There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a student’s joy when they achieve something they once thought impossible—like proudly reading their first story. Moments like these inspire us every day.
Thank you for being part of the Lindamood-Bell family. Wishing you a holiday filled with joy and gratitude!
With gratitude,
Your friends at Lindamood-Bell
🎉 Learning Success Just Got More Affordable!
Help your student build essential reading and comprehension skills with small group instruction—now available at over 40% savings compared to one-to-one instruction.
📚 Available in-person or live online, our proven approach delivers real results.
👉 Learn More and Get Started Today! Follow the link in our profile, @lindamoodbellofficial.
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Take advantage of special savings on Winter Break instruction!
👉 Visit our website for details and to get started today.
Lindamood-Bell helps students of all ages catch up, overcome learning loss, or get ahead. Our individualized instruction builds skills and confidence, setting students up for lasting success.
Don’t miss out—contact your local learning center today to learn more! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial
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#lindamoodbell #tutor #testimonial
Lindamood-Bell Academy can make a difference for your child!
Every one-to-one or small-group class is live and interactive, whether in person or online. Students feel successful right from the start.
Enroll now and enjoy 25% off one month of tuition! 
🌟Learn more and get started today! 
Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoobellofficial.
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#LindamoodBellAcademy #LindamoodBell #privateschool
📚 Attention Educators!
Many students struggle with reading comprehension even when their decoding and vocabulary skills are strong. The missing piece? Concept imagery—the ability to create a mental “big picture” from language.
Explore our latest blog for insights and practical strategies to help your students succeed in comprehension and critical thinking.
👉 Read more in our latest blog post, follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
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#lindamoodbell
Help your child catch up, conquer learning loss, or get ahead—our individualized instruction can set them up for success!
Contact your local learning center today for special savings on Winter Break instruction!
👉 Visit our website for details and to get started today! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial
.
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.
#lindamoodbell #tutor #testimonial
❄️ Don’t miss our Winter Wonderland Learning Savings!❄️
📚 10% OFF instruction during Winter Break!
Help your child catch up, conquer learning loss, or get ahead—our individualized instruction will set them up for success and confidence in the New Year.
👉 Visit our website for details and to get started today! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Lindamood-Bell Academy can make a difference for your child!
Every one-to-one or small-group class is live and interactive, whether in person or online. Students feel successful right from the start.
Enroll now and enjoy 25% off one month of tuition! 
🌟Learn more and get started today! 
Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoobellofficial.
.
.
.
#LindamoodBellAcademy #LindamoodBell #privateschool
Our evidence-based instruction is effective whether you attend in person or live online! Students everywhere, including those with learning difficulties such as dyslexia, can gain new skills and confidence—and have a successful school year. Contact your local learning center today for special school year savings! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial
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#lindamoodbell #tutor #testimonial
📚Watch your child thrive this school year with Lindamood-Bell Academy!
Every one-to-one or small-group class is live and interactive, whether in person or online. Students feel successful right from the start.
Enroll now and enjoy 25% off one month of tuition! 🎉
🌟Learn more and get started today! 
Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoobellofficial.
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#LindamoodBellAcademy #LindamoodBell #privateschool
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