Students Using Lexia Core5 Reading Outperformed Their Peers On the Smarter Balanced English Language Arts/Literacy Assessment

New Lexia Study Examines Performance of More Than 1 Million California Students to Ascertain the Impact of Literacy Program

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In California, third- to fifth-grade students at 525 schools using Lexia Core5 Reading (Core5) from Lexia, a Cambium Learning Group brand, made significantly higher literacy gains compared to their peers in 4,362 schools that did not use the program. The schools were highlighted in a recently released report which compared the students’ performance on the Smarter Balanced English Language Arts/Literacy (SBAC ELA) assessment.

Core5 accelerates the foundational and advanced literacy skills for all students—from at-risk to on-level and advanced—in elementary grades. The research-proven program provides students with a systematic and structured approach to phonological awareness, oral language, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.

“This study is the first to investigate the impact of Core5 at scale in California schools,” said Lexia President Nick Gaehde. “Our study evaluated Core5’s impact on more than one million California elementary students’ ELA achievement during the 2022-23 school year. We started with third graders because they are the youngest students assessed on the Smarter Balanced assessment.”

The Core5 and non-Core5 schools in the study had similar average scores on the 2022 SBAC ELA. However, on the 2023 assessment, third graders at the Core5 schools scored an average of 3.49 points higher than their peers at the non-Core5 schools. The scores for Core5-using fourth and fifth graders were, on average, 2.81 and 3.35 points higher respectively than their non-using peers.

The Core5 schools had more Emergent Bilingual students as well as more Hispanic or Latino students than non-Core5 schools. However, both categories of schools were similar in total enrollment and the percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch.

“Interestingly, third and fourth grade students at the schools using Core5 also scored statistically higher—3.08 points and 3.04 points higher, respectively—on the SBAC Math assessment than students at non-Core5 schools,” said Gaehde. “That fact drives home the point that improving students’ literacy outcomes boosts their achievements in other areas. Since post-pandemic federal relief funds expired in 2024, school leaders have had to decide whether they should continue investing in interventional programs. These results show that Core5 is helping California educators address the critical need to improve student reading proficiency.”

About Lexia
Lexia®, a Cambium Learning® Group brand, is transforming literacy education, driving change in 1 of every 3 school districts across the United States. For more than 40 years, Lexia has been a thought leader in literacy education, delivering award-winning, research-based solutions grounded in the science of reading. With a full spectrum of offerings, including professional learning, curriculum, and embedded assessment tools, Lexia provides educators with Structured Literacy solutions that are proven effective and designed to drive meaningful literacy outcomes. By empowering educators with unparalleled ease of use and the knowledge and tools they need, Lexia helps more students unlock their potential to read, write, and speak with confidence. For more information, visit lexialearning.com.

About Cambium Learning Group
Cambium Learning Group is the education essentials company, providing award-winning education technology and services for K-12 educators and students. With an intentional collection of respected global brands, Cambium serves as a leader, helping millions of educators and students feel more seen, valued, and supported every day. In everything it does, the company focuses on the elements that are most essential to the success of education, delivering simpler, more certain solutions that make a meaningful difference right now.

To learn more, visit www.cambiumlearning.com or follow Cambium on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X. The Cambium family of brands includes: Cambium Assessment®, Lexia®, Learning A-Z®, ExploreLearning®, and Time4Learning®.