Newsletters

In the May Issue:

Journal of Research in Reading Publishes Study Showing Effectiveness of Lexia’s Reading Software

Beginning in 2001, Lexia Learning Systems collaborated with the Revere (MA) Public Schools to conduct district-wide studies to assess the effectiveness of Lexia’s reading software as a supplement to Revere’s language arts programs.

A report analyzing the performance of first graders who participated in the study was published this month in the Journal of Research in Reading. The study showed that Title I first graders who used Lexia’s reading software closed the reading achievement gap when compared with their non-Title I peers. The article entitled “The efficacy of computer-based supplementary phonics programs for advancing reading skills in at-risk elementary students (pdf, 373 KB)” appeared in the May 2006 issue, Volume 29, Number 2, pp. 162 – 172.

Students in the study came from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds. More than 50% of the 179 students involved with the study qualified for free or reduced lunch, 40% of the students were bilingual, and 47% were non-Caucasian.

The district’s core curriculum for reading instruction emphasized the research-based teaching methods identified by the National Reading Panel and the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, including systematic instruction in phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Classes in each school were assigned to either a treatment group or a control group. All groups shared a common core curriculum but the treatment groups used Lexia reading software while the control groups did not.

Key findings of the study were that:

The children who performed the lowest at the beginning of the study benefited the most from using Lexia reading software
Title I students who used Lexia reading software closed the reading gap with their mainstream peers
All published findings were statistically significant
Teachers strongly supported continued use of the programs

You can download a report of the overall study findings with summary results for each grade from the Lexia Learning Systems website here (pdf, 85 KB). You can read a copy of the actual research report here (pdf, 373 KB).

Classroom Teachers See Evidence of Success

The research in the previous article shows that Lexia software is instrumental in driving reading achievement. Just as important, students and teachers enthusiastically embrace its use. After the Revere school district started using Lexia reading software in the elementary schools, teachers began to see improvements. In addition, students at all skill levels were enthusiastic about using the programs because they were so engaging.

According to Dr. Grace Marie Greeno, Director of Literacy and Title I Programs at the Revere Public Schools, “Lexia software has become a key component of our daily literacy instruction. Revere has a diverse population with significant literacy needs. I am especially pleased with the positive impact the reading software has had on our at-risk students.”

For example, Lexia’s software helped one student dramatically improve his abilities. Eko recently moved to Revere from Africa. When he entered school in September, he did not speak English and had no computer skills. Although he was age-appropriate for 1^st grade, the school decided to split his time between kindergarten and 1^st grade in an attempt to give him the social skills he needed and to help him catch up academically to his peers.

Using Lexia Primary Reading^® 4 times a week for 20 – 30 minutes each time, Eko became an enthusiastic advocate for the software. Now he helps others log on to the computer and even explains to his classmates how to use the program. Although he still hasn’t completely caught up to his 1^st grade classmates, he has made tremendous progress.

“My students love the Lexia software,” said Sandra Speziale-Burke, Eko’s kindergarten teacher. “It is fun and helps them learn at the same time. I try to tie the Lexia exercises to what I am teaching, and the kids can see their gains using the colored level charts. So far 22 of my 43 students have already completed Lexia Early Reading^® levels 1 and 2 and have moved on to Primary Reading.”

Meghan Laracy, Eko’s 1^st grade teacher, agrees. “Lexia software helps me provide a quiet, independent, learning center in the classroom, and students at all levels of literacy benefit,” she said. “Students enjoy using the software and make connections to their daily lessons. They are proud when they master an activity, especially when a skill is difficult.”

Students in the Revere public schools are enthusiastic about the Lexia software. According to 2^nd grade teacher Michele Travalini, “Lexia software has enabled some of my at-risk students to feel a sense of accomplishment. They love passing each level as if it were a video game. Overall the Lexia software is a powerful program that motivates students and rewards them when they succeed—exactly what struggling readers need the most.”

Best Practices: Scheduling Class Time for Lexia Software

The amount of time students practice their reading skills using Lexia reading software is crucial. Yet, how can educators justify the amount of time needed for students to practice in an already crowded classroom schedule? Which language arts programs or other curriculum elements can they adjust to allow students time to use Lexia software?

Lexia Learning Systems suggests that schools carefully examine the activities students engage in when they use classroom and computer laboratory stations for language arts activities. In many cases, valuable computer time is used to focus on games, computer skills competency, and other custodial programs only tangentially related to the core school mission. Classroom and laboratory use of Lexia software programs to support reading instruction is frequently a far more fundamental and beneficial learning activity when compared to other forms of computer use.

We recommend that students use the age-appropriate Lexia reading software program for 60 – 90 minutes per week, depending on their skill level. Although this may sound like a lot of time, it breaks down to about 10 – 15 minutes a day and represents only a small portion of the total time available in the school day and year. In addition, students proceed at their own pace and many may finish their practice in less time and can move on to other activities. Students who need the extra time can take it, and Lexia’s data indicates these children experience significant benefits.

A student who uses Lexia software to practice reading skills for the full 60 – 90 minutes a week is using about 15% to 20% of the language arts block in a given week. A school year is normally 180 days, with approximately 90 minutes per day allocated to language arts. That means that the total amount of language arts instruction in a given week could include 7.5 hours, or roughly 240 hours per school year.

Taking into account the fact that students cannot be successful in school if they cannot read, the decision boils down to the following question: “Is it beneficial to dedicate 60 to 90 minutes per week to practice and establish basic reading skills?” Given the performance of the program in promoting reading gains, particularly gains for struggling students, the answer is, undoubtedly, “Yes.”

Share Your Story and Receive a Free Gift

Do you have a story you would like to share about using Lexia software in your district, school, or classroom? Many educators have attested to the value of the software, and we will share those stories periodically in this newsletter. If we publish a story that you submit, we will send you a free gift.

When you send us your story, describe the situation, and include the use pattern and student benefits that you’ve observed. Simply e-mail your write-up to newsletter@lexialearning.com. Please include your contact information so we can get in touch with you for more details, if necessary, and so we can send you your free gift!