Literacy Success for Newcomers with Lexia English and Core5

When educators at a rural district with more than 12,700 students saw the English Learner population growing, they sought a solution to help newcomers thrive. Kathleen Brinson, multilingual teacher and refugee school impact coordinator, and Taylor Stewart, K–5 ESL teacher, partnered with Lexia® to build a clear path for success.

“Lexia English [Language Development™] provides a softer entrance,” Brinson explained. Students begin by strengthening listening and speaking skills, creating the foundation for future reading proficiency. Once they reach Level 3 in Lexia English—typically around two years—they are ready to transition into [Lexia®] Core5® Reading, where they continue building literacy skills with increasing confidence.

The results speak volumes. During the 2022–2023 school year, 44% of students who met usage targets moved up at least one proficiency band in Lexia English. Families also benefit from real-time progress reporting in myLexia®, enabling them to engage more deeply in learning at home and celebrate each milestone along the way.

One second grade student’s journey illustrates the impact. Arriving from Honduras in 2021 with no English, he and his mother used Lexia English nightly. By his third year, he was performing solidly on grade level in his classroom work.

From zero to grade level—that’s the power of pairing Lexia English and Core5 to meet the needs of every learner.