Running head: LEXIA

Lexia Reading Core5

Ashley Perez
Azusa Pacific University

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2
Abstract

This paper explores the correlation between using the Lexia Core 5 reading
application and a students increased mastery of reading foundational skills.
It looks into what the program is and how it works. It then analyzes the
research and data acquired through various studies gauging the success
program. I discuss how I have seen it used on classrooms, and the way I
would implement it into a classroom of my own. Furthermore, it includes
testimonials from different Lexia users.
Keywords: Lexia

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Lexia Reading Core5

Fostering a students mastery of foundational reading skills is
something all teachers aspire to do. Reading sets the foundation for success
in school and many careers, but is often one of the most challenging tasks
to learn. To make the learning process more engaging and enjoyable to
students, the Lexia Reading Core5 (Lexia) team has created a personalized
reading instruction program. This paper examines how Lexia can be used in
addition to instruction to increase a student reading abilities. It explains how
the program works, and the results its implementation has produced.
Literature Review
Lexia Reading Core5 is a Common Core based program for students
through 5th grade providing explicit, personalized learning in the six areas of
reading instruction (Lexia Reading Core5). Lexia, a Rosetta Stone company,
based their program on the six foundational reading areas of phonological
awareness, phonics, structural analysis automaticity/fluency, vocabulary and
comprehension. (MarketWatch, 2014). The chart below, taken from the Lexia
Website, identifies what skills are targeted at each grade level.

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At each level, students work to develop foundational skills in automaticity

and fluency, listening and reading comprehension with complex text, as well
as academic domain specific vocabulary to improve comprehension (Lexia
Reading Core5). Lexia is a Phonics-based program that uses computer
software devised to teach readers word-attack skills, giving them the
ability to analyze unfamiliar words visually and phonetically (SlideShare,
2013).
One of the major benefits of Lexia is that it creates a personalized
learning track for each student. It is designed to help all students no matter
where they are academically gifted, on target, low, or an English language
learner (Market Watch, 2014). Students work through the 18 levels of the
program at their own pace while receiving immediate corrective feedback as
they go (Lexia Reading Core5). When a student struggles with a particular
activity, they are presented with a scaffolded approach to mastering the skill
and if needed they receive explicit, teacher-led instruction through Lexias
scripted lesson materials online (Market Watch, 2014). Once they student
has mastered the skill they will be able to move forward. The way Lexia
gathers its data is through is Assessment Without Testing system, which
gathers norm-referenced performance data without stopping the flow of
instruction to administer a test and adjusts each students learning path

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accordingly (MarketWatch, 2014). As students progress, teachers receive

data driven action plans for each student outlining their progress in
accordance to the Common Core Standards and recommended resources.
Lexia For a preview of the Lexia Reading Core5 check out the sites, here is a
link to the video on their webpage: http://bcove.me/jhorued0.
Lexia has proven to be successful for many students in building
foundational reading skills. It is designed to help educators by working with
their classroom literacy program. It has an engaging and age appropriate
interface for elementary aged students and teaches them through word
games. (SlideShare, 2013). Students can read the information on the screen
or have it read to them. Students are motivated to progress in their learning
through their successes. Since Lexia goes through skills systematically it
ensures that by the end of the program students receive instruction and
practice on each skill stated in the Commom Core Standards (Kuttner, 2014).
In recent years many educators have discovered the major benefits to
Lexia. Many schools are purchasing the program for their students and
seeing the benefits. In the MartetWatch article assistant principal, John
Bennetts says: Lexia Reading Core5 is masterful in the way it keeps the kids
engaged at just the right level to accelerate their reading skills while giving
our teachers and classroom volunteers resources, like scripted lessons, that
go right to the heart of a particular skill or activity that a student or a group
of students had found to be a real stumbling block. You can tell a great deal
of research went into its development. As seen in the bar graph, there is a

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dramatic increase in the success of students who used Lexia consistently for
a year (SlideWare, 2014). According to this study studets who used the
program for 15-30 minutes per day for 6 months saw an approximate 60%
increase in the closing the achievement Gap. Another study found that Lexia
Helped nearly 2/3 of high-risk students grades 1-3 close the gap with in one
school year (Lexia, 2012).

Discussion
In my
classroom, I would
use the Lexia Core5
application to help
my students acquire
reading skills. I
would make the
program accessible
to all students to access either at home or at school. My classroom would be
open every morning to students that want to come in and work on their
reading skills. Also, I would use incentives to ensure students logged on and
spent time using Lexia. For every 100 hours logged, I would give the
students some sort of reward. As students work, I would keep track of their
learning progress to ensure growth is taking place and verifying that all
students are understanding the material. If a student is not able to

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understand a concept I will give a mini lesson to reteach the concept in a

new way.
In my current student teaching placement, use Lexia as a form of
intervention for the lowest students and those that are learning English as a
second language. The students come to school half hour early and use this
application to help develop their skills. They are willing to come in early to
and use the program because they love it. It is very fun and interactive
because of the graphics and different levels you have to pass to progress
through it. As you are using the program it gives you the directions by
reading it allowed and displaying them on the screen this way students can
choose the option that works best for them. The students are always asking
to use Lexia when they have silent reading, or finish an assignment early.

Conclusion
Lexia Reading Core5 is a great resource for all students to build
foundational reading skills. It is engaging, self-pacing, uniquely adapted for
each student and provides teachers with detailed student reports. Studies
have proven its benefits for students and more schools are turning to this
source to aide in their intervention programs. Although Lexia may be
expensive, it is definitely worth the substantial reading gains students
receive from using it.

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References:
Kuttner, A. (2014, May 11). Lexia Adoption in a Support Classroom. Retrieved
from http://plpnetwork.com/2014/05/11/technology-reading-support/
Lexia. (2012). Lexia Learning. Retrieved from
http://www.uwchatt.org/downloads/LexiaBackground.pdf
Lexia Reading Core5 | Products | Lexia Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://
lexia
learning.com/product/core5

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MarketWatch. (2014, February 10). Lexia Reading Core5 Selected as Essential

Part of
Literacy Instruction at Charter Schools in Arkansas, District of Columbia
Market Watch. Retrieved from
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/lexia-reading-core5-selected-asessential-part-of-literacy-instruction-at-charter-schools-in-arkansasdistrict-of-columbia-2014-02-10
SlideShare. (2013, April 21). Lexia reading power point. Retrieved from
http://www.slideshare.net/literacyassessments/lexia-reading-powerpoint