9/18/2024

Even Better Together: Lexia Core5 and Lexia English Accelerate Literacy for Emergent Bilinguals

Imagine a classroom where diversity isn't just celebrated but supercharged to benefit every student—that's the promise of embracing Emergent Bilingual learners. By combining powerful tools like Lexia® Core5® Reading and Lexia English Language Development™, educators can transform language barriers into bridges, providing a comprehensive foundation for literacy and language acquisition that sets all students on a clear path to academic success.

The Essential Domains of Literacy and Language

Core5 and Lexia English work seamlessly together because they support every essential domain of literacy and language. 

The four essential domains of literacy and language are interconnected:

1. Writing
2. Listening
3. Speaking
4. Reading

Listening and reading are receptive skills while speaking and writing are expressive skills. Developing these expressive skills lays the groundwork for success in reading and writing.

Core5 focuses primarily on reading skills, serving the literacy needs of all students. On the other hand, Lexia English emphasizes speaking and listening skills, specifically designed to support Emergent Bilingual students. 

How Core5 Supports Emergent Bilingual Literacy

While Core5 is designed to benefit all students, it offers specific features that make it particularly effective for Emergent Bilinguals learning to read in English:

1. Native Language Support: Core5 provides interactive and engaging scaffolding in students' native languages, helping them bridge the gap between their first language and English.
2. Culturally Responsive Texts: The program incorporates diverse, culturally relevant reading materials that resonate with students from various backgrounds.

These features ensure Emergent Bilingual students can engage with the content more effectively, building their literacy skills while honoring their linguistic and cultural heritage.

How Lexia English Supports Emergent Bilingual Literacy

Lexia English is a targeted approach to using language to support literacy for Emergent Bilingual students:

1. Language and Conversation Practice: The program provides ample opportunities for students to engage in academic conversations, building their English language skills in a relevant and engaging context.
2. Focus on Academic English: Lexia English emphasizes academic vocabulary and grammar, preparing students for success across all subject areas.
3. Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy: The program embraces students' cultural heritage and languages, viewing them as assets rather than obstacles. This approach gives learners the confidence they need to master English speaking skills.
4. Personalized Speaking Instruction: In an encouraging environment, Lexia English offers speaking instruction, practice, and personalized feedback.
5. Alignment With Language Proficiency Standards: The program is aligned with multiple language proficiency standards, including WIDA and ELPA21, ensuring comprehensive language development.

Core5 and Lexia English: Even Better Together

Combining Core5 and Lexia English creates a powerful synergy, addressing both sides of the Simple View of Reading equation. 

Word Recognition + Language Comprehension = Reading Comprehension

Core5 provides comprehensive support for all Simple View of Reading elements, including word recognition and language comprehension skills. Lexia English builds upon this foundation, offering the additional academic language practice that emergent bilingual students need to reach equal footing with their native English-speaking peers. 

Together, these programs create a powerful, evidence-based approach that levels the playing field, ensuring Emergent Bilinguals can understand and engage with classroom content as effectively as their peers.

Key areas where the programs complement each other include:

1. Vocabulary Development: Both programs contribute to building a robust vocabulary, with Core5 focusing on reading vocabulary and Lexia English emphasizing spoken academic vocabulary.
2. Grammar: While Core5 addresses grammar in the context of reading, Lexia English provides explicit instruction and practice in English grammar structures.
3. Comprehension Strategies: Core5 teaches reading comprehension strategies, while Lexia English supports oral language comprehension, which transfers to reading comprehension.

How These Programs Work Together

Implementing both Core5 and Lexia English is straightforward, thanks to several shared features:

1. myLexia® Reporting: Both programs use the same reporting system, providing real-time, actionable progress data across all skill categories.
2. Adaptive Blended Learning Model: Core5 and Lexia English share the same instructional approach, combining online, student-driven learning with teacher-led instruction.
3. Targeted Instruction and Resources: Both programs provide actionable, targeted instruction and teacher resources, making it easy for educators to support students in ways that respect their cultural heritage.

Many educators use Lexia English as a runway to Core5, transitioning students to parallel program use as they level up and eventually transition from Lexia English. This seamless progression can help ensure continuity and instill confidence in students as they master speaking and reading in English. 

The Data: Proven Success

Recent studies have demonstrated the significant impact of using Core5 and Lexia English together:

1. SBAC ELA Performance: Emergent Bilingual students who used Lexia English and Core5 scored 22 points higher on the Smarter Balanced English Language Arts (SBAC ELA) assessment than those who only used Core5. 
2. Proficiency Achievement: Approximately 23% of Emergent Bilingual students who used both Lexia English and Core5 achieved proficiency on the SBAC ELA assessment, compared to only 14% of those who only used Core5. Both groups outperformed the state average of 13% for Emergent Bilinguals across grades 3, 4, and 5.
3. ELPAC Scores: Students using both Core5 and Lexia English showed the highest effect size (0.34) on the overall California English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPAC) compared to students who did not use any Lexia® products.

These results underscore the powerful connection between oral language development and broader literacy skills, highlighting the effectiveness of combining Core5 and Lexia English.

Case Study: Craven County School District

North Carolina’s Craven County School District results are a testament to the success of combining Core5 and Lexia English. Despite facing unique challenges, including an increasing number of multilingual learners, the district's implementation of both programs has been a resounding success, inspiring confidence in the ability of these tools to address diverse student needs.

Kathleen Brinson, a multilingual teacher and refugee school impact coordinator, shared this story: 

In 2021, a second grade student arrived from Honduras with no English experience at all. Every night, he and his mother worked consistently through Lexia English and, eventually, Core5. “I saw him go from no English usage to being at or above grade level. In his third year, he’s on grade level. From zero to grade level is HUGE,” Brinson said.

Implementing Core5 and Lexia English: Best Practices

To maximize the benefits of using Core5 and Lexia English together, consider these best practices:

1. Start with Lexia English for Newcomers: For students with little to no English experience, begin with Lexia English to build a listening and speaking skills foundation.
2. Transition to Core5: As students progress in Lexia English (typically around Level 3), introduce Core5 to begin developing reading skills.
3. Use Both Programs Concurrently: Once students are ready, implement both programs concurrently. For example, students might use Core5 two days a week and Lexia English three days a week, or vice versa.
4. Monitor Progress Closely: Review data from both programs regularly to track student progress and adjust instruction as needed.
5. Provide Consistent Support: Ensure teachers and support staff are trained in both programs and understand how they complement each other.
6. Engage Families: Encourage home use of both programs to reinforce learning and accelerate progress.

A Comprehensive Approach to Literacy and Language Development

The combination of Lexia Core5 and Lexia English offers a powerful solution for supporting Emergent Bilingual students in their journey toward English proficiency and improved literacy. 

By leveraging the combined strengths of Core5 and Lexia English, district leaders can provide these students with the comprehensive support to achieve this goal, setting them on a path to long-term academic success.