post
BLOG AND NEWS

Sustained Professional Development the Key to Addressing Learning Loss

Sep 7, 2021
 
 

Many wondered how Ft. Smith Public Schools in Arkansas would fare in the 2020-21 school year during the pandemic. For its struggling readers and students with dyslexia, Ft. Smith beat the odds and increased their skills in reading. They did not experience widespread learning loss as many disadvantaged students did throughout the country.  

In 2017, the district partnered with Lindamood-Bell to provide sustained, job-embedded professional development for dyslexia interventionists, resource specialists, and K-2 staff.  They implemented the Seeing Stars and Visualizing and Verbalizing programs for grades K-2 and for struggling readers in any grade.  The programs were also used to meet their dyslexia intervention needs.  During the past year, the district trained special education staff in the Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing (LiPS) program.  Since the beginning of the partnership, over 300 teachers have received training and coaching in the programs.  

Following the abrupt shut down of schools in March of 2020, gaps in phonemic awareness initially increased compared to prior years, as measured by the district’s Istation universal screener at the start of the 2020-21 school year.  Despite the serious instructional challenges they faced during the school year, the district provided high-dosage intervention for 521 students with dyslexia.

Teachers accelerated student learning to get these students back on track.  With just 57 hours of instruction in the Seeing Stars program (a minimum of 120 hours is often recommended), students made significant growth in key components of reading, including phonemic awareness, phonics (word attack), word recognition, and orthographic processing (symbol imagery), as shown in the table below.

“It was so encouraging (to see) the number of students that we had who were making significant gains,” shared Todd Marshall, Principal of Chaffin Junior High. “I’m talking about almost ‘hard to believe’ the grade levels that they were making up by participating in this program and the rate at which they were making progress.”

Unlike many structured literacy approaches that focus predominantly on phonological processing, Seeing Stars systematically integrates phonemic awareness AND orthographic processing. This helps students become more fluent readers. For students in Ft. Smith, instruction has accelerated their learning during what was likely the most challenging school year they will ever experience. 

Lindamood-Bell’s levels of professional development are key components for quality instruction, with fidelity.  This model helped Ft. Smith reduce the impact of learning loss.   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 coaching throughout the year, including extended school year sessions and summer academies.  Coaching 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.      

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

Connect with us
Summer at Lindamood-Bell can be life-changing for your child!
In just a few weeks, our evidence-based instruction can make a lasting impact in Reading, Comprehension, or Math.
⏳ Enroll now to save on your first week of summer learning!
Spots are filling fast—don’t miss out!
Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🎧 New Podcast Episode: A Parent Perspective on Autism & Reading Challenges 🌟
Hear how Lindamood-Bell’s evidence-based approach helped a child with autism overcome reading struggles and the effects of language delays, boosting confidence and skills.
This inspiring story offers hope for families facing similar challenges.
👉 Listen now at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🌟 Make a difference this summer!
Lindamood-Bell is hiring! We’re looking for motivated, enthusiastic individuals with strong communication skills and a desire to help students thrive.
Join us as an Educational Clinician/Tutor and be part of something truly rewarding. Paid training provided!
📍Explore openings and apply now. Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Why do so many literacy reforms fall short—and what can be done differently?

In our recent webinar, Paul Worthington, Director of Research and Development at Lindamood-Bell, explains what’s been missing from past initiatives and how our evidence-based approach is helping close the gap for students across the country.

🎥 Watch the full webinar: “Why Literacy Reform Keeps Failing and What Actually Works”
 🔗 Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
📚Help your child catch up or get ahead with Lindamood-Bell summer instruction! ☀️
Our personalized, one-to-one instruction builds skills in reading, comprehension, and math—for all ages and abilities, in person or live online.

🔍 Evidence-based approach
 🧠 Proven effective for students with dyslexia, ADHD, autism & more
 🎉 Fun, confidence-boosting environment

💸 Enroll now and get 10% off your first week with our Early Bird offer!
⏳ Don’t wait—get the details and save your spot today! Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Make a meaningful impact this summer! 🌞
Lindamood-Bell is now hiring enthusiastic, positive individuals with excellent communication skills and a passion for helping students succeed. Join us as an Educational Clinician/Tutor and be part of something rewarding.
🔎 Explore open positions and apply today!
Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🎓 You’re Invited to the Lindamood-Bell Academy Virtual Open House!
📅 Tuesday, April 29, 2025
 🕙 10:00 a.m. PT | 1:00 p.m. ET | 6:00 p.m. BST

Discover how our accredited K-12 private school helps students thrive through personalized, evidence-based instruction—both online and in person.

🎤 Join us live to learn more and get your questions answered during the Q&A!
🔗 Register now at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
 ✨ We can’t wait to share what makes our Academy truly unique!
🌞 Make This Summer Count!
Unlock your child’s learning potential with our unique Learning Ability Evaluation—the first step toward lasting success in reading, comprehension, and math.
🎉 Now just $495 (reg. $1150)
💡 Plus: Get 10% off your first week of summer instruction!
💥 Hurry—this limited-time offer won’t last!
👉 Tap the link in our bio to get started, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Parents, make this summer count! 🌞📚
Give your child the boost they need with Lindamood-Bell summer instruction—designed to help students catch up, hone skills, or get ahead in reading, comprehension, and math. Our engaging, evidence-based approach delivers results, with students often gaining years in just weeks!
🏫 In-person or live online—both options lead to similar, strong gains.
💡Enroll now and save! Get 10% off your first week with our Early Bird offer.
Secure your child's spot today! ✨ Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Give your child a summer of success with Lindamood-Bell! 
☀️📚Our one-to-one instruction helps students of all ages and abilities build skills in reading, comprehension, and math—whether in person or live online.

✨ Personalized, evidence-based instruction
✨ Proven effective for students with dyslexia, autism, ADHD, and other learning challenges
✨ A fun, supportive environment that builds confidence

🌟Enroll now for summer and save! Get 10% off your first week of instruction with our Early Bird offer.

Don’t miss out—get details and reserve your spot today! Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Ready to make a difference this summer? ☀️ 
Our learning centers are hiring! We're looking for enthusiastic, positive individuals with excellent communication skills and a passion for helping students succeed. Join us as an Educational Clinician/Tutor and be part of something rewarding.
🔎 Explore open positions and apply today. Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🌞 Boost Your Child’s Learning This Summer! 📚
 Looking for a fun and effective way to build confidence and strengthen reading skills? Our Summer Reading Camp offers personalized, one-to-one instruction designed to help kids make real progress in just a few weeks. Available in person or live online! Learn more and get started ➡️ Link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🎧 New Podcast Episode! 🎧
Join parent Melinda as she shares her family’s inspiring journey with Lindamood-Bell. After a personalized learning evaluation uncovered the root of her children's struggles with reading, the right instruction sparked a newfound love for books. Melinda reflects on their summer of transformation, where reluctance turned into excitement, culminating in the "best summer ever." Don’t miss this heartwarming story of how Lindamood-Bell made reading fun, engaging, and life-changing for her kids—listen now at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Now hiring for summer! 
We're seeking energetic, positive individuals to work as clinicians(tutors) in a Lindamood-Bell Learning Center. Join us as we teach students to read and comprehend to their potential! For more information and to apply, follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Request Information

Request Information

When you complete our form, we'll send you to our digital information packet and reach out to you shortly.
You may also call us at

* required

Schedule a Learning
Ability Evaluation

Please fill out the form and we will be in touch to schedule an evaluation.

* required