As a teacher at a Spanish/English dual language school, I work with many English language learners (ELL’s). My students have varying degrees of English language proficiency: some have arrived to the U.S. within the past year and have had very limited exposure to English while others were born here and are truly bilingual.


I know it is essential that all of my students have access to the rich discourse of the English language. In addition, they need exposure to the patterns and rules that govern English words and sentences. Fortunately, my school has acquired Lexia Reading Core5 software.


The Lexia system is used for 60 minutes weekly via classroom computers and iPads. It directly addresses six areas of reading for students in pre-K through fifth grade: phonological awareness, phonics, syntax, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Initially, each student completes diagnostic activities, then Lexia creates a learning path that includes paced activities to “fill in the gaps” in students' English and reading proficiency.


This program has benefitted my students because, while physically in a fourth grade classroom, for an hour each week, they can receive individualized activities that meet them where they are in terms of mastery, whether that’s pre-K or 3rd grade. My students have called me over to their screen to show me the progress they're making with Lexia. Anecdotally, I have observed these students speaking and writing vocabulary words and using word structures that I know they were exposed to only through Lexia.


Lexia is beneficial to teachers because it provides action plans or lessons to teachers to address misconceptions and errors. It provides a prognosis that shows the probability of meeting grade-level benchmarks by the end of the year. An added benefit is that Lexia is Common Core aligned to ensure that students are meeting the same goals as others around the country.


Lexia Reading Core5 has the potential to be a key component in student success in any classroom. From it’s data-driven focus and alignment to Common Core to its differentiated nature, Lexia has played a large part in the success of my students this year.


E. M. Jones
Fifth Grade Teacher
Bancroft Elementary School