Hoping for her life to be changed

This week we had a new student start.  On her first day her mother told me a story I want to share with you.  She said that the night before her family had had Chinese food for dinner.  When her daughter, our new student, opened her fortune cookie, it read.......

You are about to be tested,

and the results will be life-changing

The daughter turned to her mother, smiling, and said, "I think Langsford is going to be my big test."

We've had many past clients tell us their lives were changed by the work they did with us.  We strive for that with every client we see.

Parent Resources

While we at Langsford Center love working one to one with our clients, the scope of our mission goes beyond that.  We want to be able to help all in our community in whatever way we can. That's why we have parent workshops, professional trainings, newsletters, and this blog!  

Be sure to regularly check this blog for links to resources and information that can help you help your child.  For today's link, click here and you'll find a list of fun books that will entertain your child while at the same time teach important academic skills.  

With fun titles like Eats, Shoots and Leaves: Why Commas Really Do Make a Difference, who wouldn't want to learn something new?

Happy Anniversary to Us!!!

Happy 20th Anniversary!!!

Wow! This month marks the 20th anniversary of the opening of Langsford Learning Acceleration Centers!  We are so excited that we've decided to celebrate all year long!!  Watch here and on our website for upcoming events, as we have many funs things planned.  Speaking of Langsford Center, did you see the recent article on us in the Courier Journal?  If not, click here!

Should I Wait for Their Reading to Get Better on its Own?

“…. Although some children will learn to read in spite of incidental teaching, others never learn unless they are taught in an organized, systematic, efficient way by a knowledgeable teacher using a well-designed instructional approach.” (Moats, 1999)

Dr. Louisa Cook Moats, is Vice President of the International Dyslexia Association.  Dr. Moats specializes in the implementation of school-wide interventions for improving literacy. She directed the NICHD Early Reading Interventions Project in Washington, DC.  She is the author of many books and articles related to reading.

The Best Christmas Gift

Sometimes the best Christmas gifts don't come in a package wrapped in shiny paper with a big red bow.  Sometimes, like this year, they come in the form of a phone call or an email.  We at Langsford like to think that we give the gift of learning to our clients.  But we get back as much or more than we give when we hear things like the following.  It is stories like this that fill our hearts with joy and give meaning to our lives.

The email I received today:

Rhonda- Hello! Glad to hear from you. It was funny that you emailed because just the other week we were looking at Allie's report card (which is all As and Bs) and my mom commented, "We need to send this to Ms. Rhonda at Langsford!"

She's doing great! It's amazing to see how much better the related areas(science/ social studies/math) are just because the reading comprehension is so much better! I truly feel so blessed that we decided to go with Langsford instead of switching her to a specialized school!  Thanks again for all your help! Merry Christmas!!

(By the way, she asked for a Smartboard and a projector for her classroom at home for Christmas!! By the time she gets a real job she'll already have 15 years teaching experience!! Ha!). 

The Magical World of Reading!

BOOKS

Books are magical....they can take us to far away places, and introduce us to wonderous characters.  Through books, make believe takes shape in our mind and anything is possible. 

One of the biggest joys of working at Langsford Center is being able to be a part of bringing this magic to new readers.  

This is Andrew.  He is so excited to be reading!  You can almost see the wonder in his eyes as he experiences new adventures via books.  What is truly amazing is this:

You will never get too old to experience the wonder.  

Follow Andrew's lead 

and let a good book take you on a magical journey!

Assessment Results: Behind the Scenes Action

What happens once your child is tested?

SCORING AND DATA COLLECTION

While many institutions do not second score their evaluations, we do.  Raw scores are checked to insure accuracy and graphs and scores are printed that provide percentile scores, standard scores, and age and grade equivalents.  Our assessment department, while small, documents and records all testing information and collects teacher input and previous evaluations that you may provide.  All pertinent data is collected and put in a folder to be reviewed by our "diagnosis team."

TEAM APPROACH

This team consists of examiners, learning coordinators, and/or directors meeting together to go over all of the data we have collected.  While all of our staff are well-trained and have years of experience, a room full of great minds is going to provide you with more insight into your child than any one individual could. 

ANALYSIS

 An in-depth analysis of your child's test results, background information, previous evaluations, and personal observation comes together and is discussed to determine the precise needs of your child.  In your next meeting with a Langsford representative to go over your child's testing results, you can rest assured that we will be able to explain to you what is going on with your child.

PLAN OF ACTION

Our goal is to provide you relief, for you to walk away understanding your child's learning strengths and weaknesses, and for you to have a clear idea of what your next step should be to help your child perform up to his or her full potential.  We are not satisfied unless we meet or exceed your expectations.