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Addressing the Literacy Crisis: Proven Solutions for Individuals, Schools, and Districts

Feb 24, 2025
 
 

Addressing the Literacy Crisis: Proven Solutions for Individuals, Schools, and Districts

 

The latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores confirm an alarming reality: reading proficiency among American students continues to decline. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average reading score for fourth graders in 2024 dropped two points from 2022 and five points from 2019, highlighting an urgent need for effective interventions. 40% of U.S. fourth graders have “below basic” reading skills, and 33% of eighth graders are “below basic.”

At Lindamood-Bell, we have spent nearly 40 years pioneering evidence-based solutions to address reading challenges at their core. Our instruction develops the sensory-cognitive foundations of reading—phonemic awareness, symbol imagery, and concept imagery—allowing struggling students to make lasting gains. Whether through Lindamood-Bell Learning Centers and Lindamood-Bell Academy for personalized instruction and curriculum or Lindamood-Bell  School Partnerships with districts, we provide the proven path to literacy success.

The Cognitive Science of Learning

Reading is an integration of three sensory-cognitive functions:

  • Phonemic Awareness (essential for decoding and spelling)
  • Symbol Imagery (critical for sight-word recognition, spelling, and fluency)
  • Concept Imagery (vital for comprehension and critical thinking)

Students struggling with reading and literacy skills often have underlying sensory-cognitive weaknesses that must be addressed to facilitate learning. Traditional reading programs frequently focus only on phonics or comprehension strategies without addressing these underlying processes. Lindamood-Bell’s evidence-based instruction, utilizing Seeing Stars® (for word reading and spelling) and Visualizing and Verbalizing® (for comprehension), are designed to develop these essential functions.

Cutting-Edge Research Supports Our Approach

Recent neurological research from the University of Washington, Stanford University, and various other institutions reinforces the effectiveness of sensory-cognitive interventions for students with dyslexia and reading difficulties.

  • University of Washington’s Reading & Dyslexia Research Program explores the cognitive and neurological factors behind reading difficulties and develops interventions that directly align with our approach.
  • Stanford University’s Dyslexia Research Program has demonstrated that targeted instruction can rewire the brain, leading to lasting reading improvements.

Our programs produce measurable neurological changes and improvement in reading skills—a testament to their effectiveness in transforming struggling readers into confident learners.

Proven Results for Schools and Districts: Lindamood-Bell School Partnerships

Through Lindamood-Bell for Schools, we partner with districts to implement research-backed interventions for students who need the most support. Our Professional Learning Community model provides educators the tools and training to deliver Seeing Stars® and Visualizing and Verbalizing® programs effectively.

Since the early 2000s, Lindamood-Bell School Partnerships have included:

  • 85,000 teachers trained in sensory-cognitive instruction
  • 135 school systems with comprehensive school partnerships
  • 68,000 students received intensive intervention for reading disabilities
  • Educators from all 50 US States and 75 countries globally

Real Results from School Partnerships:

  • In a large urban district, students receiving Seeing Stars® instruction improved their word attack skills by an average of 21 percentile points in six weeks. 
  • An 11-year comprehensive district reform effort in a large urban district in Colorado showed that the district improved 26 percentage points above the average of comparison schools in reading proficiency. The study concluded that the district  “went ‘by the book’ in producing large-scale reform with much success.”
  • A School Improvement Initiative supported by the Colorado Department of Education resulted in one of the lowest-performing schools in the state, making the largest increase in reading achievement. Over 4 years, reading proficiency improved from 31% of students to 70%, while other low-performing schools in the cohort only increased from 43% to 53%.  
  • A dyslexia-mandated initiative where 518 students with dyslexia significantly improved their reading skills. In a comparison of special education rates, 384 students were exited out of special education during the intervention period, compared to 220 students prior to the intervention over the same period of time.   

We are currently approved in 11 states as a Science of Reading or Professional Development Provider. Our workshops, on-site coaching, and customized professional development empower districts to sustain and scale these interventions for lasting impact.

Personalized Learning: Lindamood-Bell Learning Centers and Lindamood-Bell Academy

Lindamood-Bell Learning Centers provide intensive, one-on-one instruction tailored to individual learning needs for parents seeking solutions for their child’s reading struggles. Our evidence-based approach leads to rapid and lasting improvements in reading, comprehension, and spelling.

Right now families can save 10% on live-online instruction. Click here to get more information.

For students who need a full-time alternative, Lindamood-Bell Academy offers an accredited private school designed for students with diverse learning needs, including dyslexia and ADHD. Our Academy provides:

  • Individualized instruction based on a student’s unique learning profile
  • Flexible scheduling options, including virtual and in-person learning
  • Accredited curriculum aligned with state standards

The Lindamood-Bell Difference: A Proven Path to Reading Success

In light of the recent NAEP findings, addressing the root causes of reading struggles is more critical than ever. Whether through our Learning Centers, Academy, or School Partnerships, Lindamood-Bell is the proven solution for transforming literacy outcomes at every level.

Parents and educators looking for an evidence-based approach that yields real, measurable results can trust Lindamood-Bell to help students unlock their potential and achieve reading success.

For more information, visit Lindamood-Bell.com.

Connect with us
📚 Every Student Can Thrive with the Right Support
At Lindamood-Bell Academy, students with dyslexia receive personalized, one-to-one instruction that builds reading skills, confidence, and a love of learning. Our evidence-based approach helps students overcome challenges and succeed in school and life.
Discover how our school can transform your child’s learning journey. Tap the link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
📚Want to help your child become a confident, independent reader?
Our latest blog article shares essential tips for supporting reading at home, including fun activities, creating a reading-friendly environment, and guidance for readers who struggle. Discover how the right instruction and support can make reading an enjoyable and rewarding experience for your child.
Tap the link in our bio to read more, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🎧 New Podcast Alert: Dyslexia Didn’t Stop Carson 🌟
Diagnosed with dyslexia as a child, Carson found his confidence and skills at the Lindamood-Bell. Today, he’s a college grad thriving in financial services, and he credits his journey to evidence-based instruction and dedicated instructors.
Hear Carson’s inspiring story of perseverance, growth, and the lifelong impact of sensory-cognitive instruction
👉 Listen now at the link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Back-to-School Literacy Workshops for Teachers – Extended Offer!

Take advantage of our extended savings to enhance your literacy instruction:
10% off any online workshop with code BACK2SCHOOL10
20% off custom team in-services (minimum 10 participants)

Equip yourself and your team with strategies to help struggling readers thrive.
📅 View the full schedule or request a proposal via the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial
Hurry, this offer is available through October 31, 2025!
👂 Think your child isn’t listening? It might be more than that. Language processing disorders affect how the brain understands and uses language, impacting reading, comprehension, and everyday communication.
✨ At Lindamood-Bell, we provide personalized, evidence-based instruction to help each student build the skills they need to succeed. From expressive and receptive language to auditory processing challenges, we meet every child where they are.
💡 Learn the signs and strategies to support language processing disorders. Tap the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
📢 We’re hiring!
 Our Lindamood-Bell® Learning Centers in Newton and South Shore, MA, are looking for Educational Clinicians / Tutors ✨
We’re seeking energetic, positive individuals with strong communication skills and a passion for helping students succeed. If you’re enthusiastic, have a growth mindset, and thrive in a supportive, engaging environment, we’d love to hear from you!
Help students of all ages reach their full potential in reading and comprehension. 💡
👉Explore these opportunities (and more) at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Back-to-School Literacy Workshops for Teachers: Save Now!

-Get 10% off any online workshop with code BACK2SCHOOL10
-20% off custom team in-services (min. 10 participants)

Transform your literacy instruction and help struggling readers thrive.
📅 View the schedule or request a proposal via the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial

Hurry, this offer ends September 30, 2025.
We’re in Shenandoah County, Virginia, this week, training a fantastic group of teachers in the Visualizing and Verbalizing program! 📖✨ We can’t wait to see their students thrive with stronger comprehension and critical thinking skills. 
💡🎓
🎧 New Podcast Episode: Beyond the Diagnosis: Autism, Advocacy, and Learning Success 🌟
Hear how Lindamood-Bell’s Visualizing and Verbalizing® instruction helped a child with autism go from struggling with comprehension to reading at a high school level by age eleven. This inspiring journey shows the power of evidence-based instruction to unlock potential.
👉 Listen now at the link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Educators: struggling readers need instruction that targets the root causes of their challenges. 

Since 1986, Lindamood-Bell has partnered with schools to deliver proven reading interventions and teacher training that build essential skills.

Tap the link in our bio to discover 5 key strategies to improve reading intervention at your school! @lindamoodbellofficial
Big news for Educators! 
Seeing Stars® by Lindamood-Bell co-founder Nanci Bell is officially recognized by the What Works Clearinghouse, a trusted U.S. Department of Education resource. This research-backed program helps students with reading fluency, comprehension, and spelling, including those with dyslexia, 
become confident readers. Tap the link in bio to learn more, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🎒 Start the school year strong!
New routines mean new opportunities, and a strong start can make all the difference.
At Lindamood-Bell, our evidence-based approach has helped thousands of students thrive. Today on our blog we’re sharing a few simple strategies to help your child start the year with focus and confidence. 
Tap the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Let’s make this their best year yet.
Thinking about school options or how to support a struggling learner? Our latest blog posts offer helpful guidance:
 🔹 What to Consider in an Online School
 🔹 Support for Dyslexia and Other Reading Disorders
 🔹 What is ADHD?
 🔹 Reading Programs for Struggling Readers
Visit our blog for these articles and more! Follow the ink in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Reading challenges can hold students back in school and in life. At Lindamood-Bell, we provide personalized, one-to-one instruction that addresses the root causes of reading difficulties.
Our new blog explains how our approach builds the skills and confidence students need to succeed.
📖 New on the blog: A Reading Program That Works for Struggling Readers
 🔗 Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial
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