Utah’s Early Intervention Reading Software Initiative: 2024–2025

Utah officials funded an Early Intervention Reading Software initiative to supplement learning and strengthen literacy skills among K–3 students with the support of edtech programs. 

The effects of the initiative for the 2024–2025 school year were evaluated by the Utah Education Policy Center (UEPC)—an independent research-based center at the University of Utah. Twelve reading programs were included in the UEPC evaluation. 

This report focuses mainly on findings tied to Lexia® Core5® Reading. It was found that Core5 was the most preferred program in Utah’s initiative. Core5 students accounted for 59% of all software users—by far the largest share among the 12 programs. Increases in software usage were significantly associated with higher end-of-year Acadience® Reading scores in grades K, 1, and 3, but not grade 2. However, a significant relationship was found between Core5 usage and predicted Acadience Reading scores across all four grades, including grade 2. This shows a consistent, positive association for Core5 even when the aggregate vendor results were not significant. 

Analyses showed on-grade-level reading rates for third grade students would have been four percentage points lower in the absence of software use. This represents a significant lift in statewide literacy performance, largely attributable to Core5 use.