Reframing Secondary Literacy: Literacy Across the Content Areas

Adolescent literacy challenges are complex, and the stakes are high. For students in middle and high school, reading proficiency directly affects academic confidence, subject-area success, and long-term outcomes. Yet many students reach secondary grades without the literacy foundation they need. This executive digest gives district leaders practical insights to address these gaps and lead effective change.

Drawing from national data and classroom trends, the digest explains why conventional reading supports often fall short for older students. It outlines essential instructional shifts to help adolescents thrive: integrating foundational skills, developing academic language, and promoting student agency. It also identifies leadership strategies that drive results, such as investing in professional learning, enabling Multi-Tiered System of Supports frameworks, and choosing programs with adaptive technology to personalize instruction.

District leaders will find guidance for implementing high-impact literacy strategies across schools. The digest includes outcomes from schools using Lexia® PowerUp Literacy®, highlighting how the program supports differentiation, accelerates growth, and strengthens educator capacity.

With a focus on research-based practices and strong leadership, this resource helps district teams advance adolescent literacy with clarity and confidence. Lexia® is a trusted partner in this work, offering proven solutions that support student achievement and help educators reach every learner.