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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
13
Mar
Lindamood-Bell Academy: Enroll Now for Special Savings

📣 Now Hiring Seasonal Educational Clinicians/Tutors (In-Person)

Our Learning Centers are hiring individuals who are passionate about education and supporting student learning. We`re seeking seasonal Educational Clinicians and Tutors interested in literacy, teaching, child development, tutoring, or academic support.

Be part of a team dedicated to helping students of all ages strengthen their reading and comprehension skills in an engaging and supportive environment.

Paid training provided.

Apply today through our Career Site. Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbell official.

Open post by lindamoodbellofficial with ID 18092002946019241
📣 Now Hiring Seasonal Educational Clinicians/Tutors (In-Person) Our Learning Centers are hiring individuals who are passionate about education and supporting student learning. We're seeking seasonal Educational Clinicians and Tutors interested in literacy, teaching, child development, tutoring, or academic support. Be part of a team dedicated to helping students of all ages strengthen their reading and comprehension skills in an engaging and supportive environment. Paid training provided. Apply today through our Career Site. Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbell official.

📣 We’re Hiring: Seasonal Educational Clinicians/Tutors (In-Person)

We’re seeking individuals passionate about creating an engaging and supportive learning environment. An interest in education, teaching, literacy, child development, tutoring, or academic support is a plus.

Join us as we help students of all ages read and comprehend to their potential.

✨ Paid training provided!
Apply today. Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

Open post by lindamoodbellofficial with ID 18013152296672210
📣 We’re Hiring: Seasonal Educational Clinicians/Tutors (In-Person) We’re seeking individuals passionate about creating an engaging and supportive learning environment. An interest in education, teaching, literacy, child development, tutoring, or academic support is a plus. Join us as we help students of all ages read and comprehend to their potential. ✨ Paid training provided! Apply today. Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

📣 We’re Hiring: Seasonal Educational Clinicians/Tutors (In-Person)

Our Learning Centers are hiring. We’re looking for individuals interested in education, teaching, literacy, child development, tutoring, or academic support who are passionate about creating an engaging and supportive learning environment. Join us as we help students of all ages read and comprehend to their potential.

✨ Paid training provided!

Apply today through our Career Site. Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

Open post by lindamoodbellofficial with ID 17911282638340119
📣 We’re Hiring: Seasonal Educational Clinicians/Tutors (In-Person) Our Learning Centers are hiring. We’re looking for individuals interested in education, teaching, literacy, child development, tutoring, or academic support who are passionate about creating an engaging and supportive learning environment. Join us as we help students of all ages read and comprehend to their potential. ✨ Paid training provided! Apply today through our Career Site. Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

🎧 New Podcast Episode: A Mother’s Perspective: Autism, Comprehension, and Real Progress 🌟
Hear April share her son’s journey at Lindamood-Bell. Although he was a strong decoder, reading comprehension remained a challenge. Through Visualizing and Verbalizing® instruction, his comprehension scores soared—and he’s now making substantial progress in math.

Discover how personalized, sensory-cognitive instruction helped him gain the skills and confidence to thrive academically.
👉 Listen now at the link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

Open post by lindamoodbellofficial with ID 17878384641481014
🎧 New Podcast Episode: A Mother’s Perspective: Autism, Comprehension, and Real Progress 🌟 Hear April share her son’s journey at Lindamood-Bell. Although he was a strong decoder, reading comprehension remained a challenge. Through Visualizing and Verbalizing® instruction, his comprehension scores soared—and he’s now making substantial progress in math. Discover how personalized, sensory-cognitive instruction helped him gain the skills and confidence to thrive academically. 👉 Listen now at the link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

At Lindamood-Bell, our support doesn’t end on the last day of instruction.

Families who have previously attended are invited to schedule a School Year Checkup, a dedicated time to reflect on progress and realign as academic demands change.

Each Checkup includes:
• A conversation about school progress
• A complimentary Learning Ability Evaluation
• Clear insights and next steps, if needed

The School Year Checkup is an exclusive benefit for past Learning Center families.
New to Lindamood-Bell? Explore how our personalized instruction can support your child’s learning.
Follow the link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

Open post by lindamoodbellofficial with ID 18329975749171609
At Lindamood-Bell, our support doesn’t end on the last day of instruction. Families who have previously attended are invited to schedule a School Year Checkup, a dedicated time to reflect on progress and realign as academic demands change. Each Checkup includes: • A conversation about school progress • A complimentary Learning Ability Evaluation • Clear insights and next steps, if needed The School Year Checkup is an exclusive benefit for past Learning Center families. New to Lindamood-Bell? Explore how our personalized instruction can support your child’s learning. Follow the link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

Is your child having a hard time with math?
Math remediation is not about more worksheets or memorizing steps. It is a targeted, structured approach that identifies why a child is struggling and rebuilds the foundational skills needed for lasting understanding.
At Lindamood-Bell, our On Cloud Nine® program integrates imagery with language to help students connect math concepts to verbal reasoning. Students learn to understand the process behind the problem, strengthening both reasoning and computation.
Learn more through the link in bio at @lindamoodbellofficial.

Open post by lindamoodbellofficial with ID 17936381847171996
Is your child having a hard time with math? Math remediation is not about more worksheets or memorizing steps. It is a targeted, structured approach that identifies why a child is struggling and rebuilds the foundational skills needed for lasting understanding. At Lindamood-Bell, our On Cloud Nine® program integrates imagery with language to help students connect math concepts to verbal reasoning. Students learn to understand the process behind the problem, strengthening both reasoning and computation. Learn more through the link in bio at @lindamoodbellofficial.

It’s a great time to plan professional development for your school district.

Book a Lindamood-Bell inservice workshop by March 15 and save 20% per attendee (minimum 10 participants). Workshops can be scheduled through December 18, 2026.

Practical, classroom-ready training for:
• Early literacy and math
• Students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities
• Struggling readers

Give your team research-based tools they can use right away.
Learn more at the link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

Open post by lindamoodbellofficial with ID 18120498877581883
It’s a great time to plan professional development for your school district. Book a Lindamood-Bell inservice workshop by March 15 and save 20% per attendee (minimum 10 participants). Workshops can be scheduled through December 18, 2026. Practical, classroom-ready training for: • Early literacy and math • Students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities • Struggling readers Give your team research-based tools they can use right away. Learn more at the link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

What does a reading specialist actually do, and how do you know if your child needs one? 📘
Our latest blog article breaks down the role of a reading specialist, what expert instruction looks like, and how individualized support can make a lasting difference in reading and comprehension.
👉Read more at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

Open post by lindamoodbellofficial with ID 18083105644973052
What does a reading specialist actually do, and how do you know if your child needs one? 📘 Our latest blog article breaks down the role of a reading specialist, what expert instruction looks like, and how individualized support can make a lasting difference in reading and comprehension. 👉Read more at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

Young students need strong listening comprehension to learn, communicate, and succeed in school, but these skills are often expected to develop on their own instead of being taught intentionally.

Join us at the Head Start California Annual Conference in Ontario, California for Closing the Comprehension Gap: Develop Language Comprehension, Expression, and Critical Thinking for Early Learners, presented by Melissa Garner, Director of Lindamood-Bell For Schools, and Zuzy Chaves, Director of Jardin de la Infancia.

Learn how developing Concept Imagery can strengthen listening comprehension, vocabulary, language expression, and early critical thinking for young learners.

Get session details and conference information at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

Open post by lindamoodbellofficial with ID 18110362675592016
Young students need strong listening comprehension to learn, communicate, and succeed in school, but these skills are often expected to develop on their own instead of being taught intentionally. Join us at the Head Start California Annual Conference in Ontario, California for Closing the Comprehension Gap: Develop Language Comprehension, Expression, and Critical Thinking for Early Learners, presented by Melissa Garner, Director of Lindamood-Bell For Schools, and Zuzy Chaves, Director of Jardin de la Infancia. Learn how developing Concept Imagery can strengthen listening comprehension, vocabulary, language expression, and early critical thinking for young learners. Get session details and conference information at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

As we begin Black History Month, we honor and celebrate the achievements, leadership, creativity, and resilience of African American leaders, educators, scholars, and artists—past and present.

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer.” —Harriet Tubman

Explore resources and learn more with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture. Link in Bio.

Open post by lindamoodbellofficial with ID 18555251245026952
As we begin Black History Month, we honor and celebrate the achievements, leadership, creativity, and resilience of African American leaders, educators, scholars, and artists—past and present. “Every great dream begins with a dreamer.” —Harriet Tubman Explore resources and learn more with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture. Link in Bio.

If your child has dyslexia, accommodations may help them get through the school day. But what about building real reading skills?
Our latest blog explores common school accommodations and why developing sensory-cognitive skills is essential for independent reading.
🔗 Read the full article at the link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

Open post by lindamoodbellofficial with ID 18053824958427879
If your child has dyslexia, accommodations may help them get through the school day. But what about building real reading skills? Our latest blog explores common school accommodations and why developing sensory-cognitive skills is essential for independent reading. 🔗 Read the full article at the link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

Start 2026 Strong with Workshop Savings ✨

Kick off the year with special pricing on Lindamood-Bell for Schools professional development, aligned with the Science of Reading.
✔ Save 25% when you bring a colleague or bundle workshops
✔ Group inservice training discounts up to 25% available

Use code HELLO26BOGO

⏰ Offers end January 31, 2026.
👉 View the workshop schedule and reserve your spot.
🔗 Link in bio @lindamoodbellofficial

Open post by lindamoodbellofficial with ID 18086883037877834
Start 2026 Strong with Workshop Savings ✨ Kick off the year with special pricing on Lindamood-Bell for Schools professional development, aligned with the Science of Reading. ✔ Save 25% when you bring a colleague or bundle workshops ✔ Group inservice training discounts up to 25% available Use code HELLO26BOGO ⏰ Offers end January 31, 2026. 👉 View the workshop schedule and reserve your spot. 🔗 Link in bio @lindamoodbellofficial

✨ Experience the Lindamood-Bell Academy Difference!

📅 Jan 12–16 | Academy Week
See firsthand how we help students build their learning ability while thriving in a full academic curriculum.

🎓 Special Enrollment Offer available!
Tap the link in our bio @lindamoodbellofficial to learn more.

Open post by lindamoodbellofficial with ID 18056581472658286
✨ Experience the Lindamood-Bell Academy Difference! 📅 Jan 12–16 | Academy Week See firsthand how we help students build their learning ability while thriving in a full academic curriculum. 🎓 Special Enrollment Offer available! Tap the link in our bio @lindamoodbellofficial to learn more.
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