When Dr. Jiel Joseph arrived at Uncommon Schools as senior regional manager of special education and English Language Learners in 2020, she quickly realized the ELL curriculum in place needed an overhaul. Across 23 schools in Brooklyn, the existing program required extensive teacher preparation and provided minimal actionable data. Students were underperforming. Dr. Joseph resolved to find a program that would empower both students and teachers.
Her search led to Lexia English Language Development™, an Adaptive Blended Learning program that supports Emergent Bilingual students’ English language acquisition through academic conversations. Designed with academically robust, culturally diverse content and strong teacher support, Lexia English provides targeted lesson plans, progress monitoring, and real-time data that makes teachers’ lives easier. The program requires less preparation time for educators while engaging students in a more dynamic and growth-oriented way.
Educators at Uncommon Schools transformed their results in just one year:
80% of students moved up at least one proficiency band on the NYSESLAT, compared to 37% the prior year
71% of students used the program with fidelity
19% of students advanced a proficiency band within the Lexia® program
Lexia English has led to outstanding results in just one school year, and Uncommon Schools administrators are extremely hopeful about where they’re headed. The mission of Uncommon Schools is to get every student to and through college—and Lexia English is helping them get much closer to that goal.
Dr. Joseph emphasizes the strong support and actionable data provided by the program when talking about how it’s fueling upward momentum: “With Lexia English, principals know what to expect, teachers feel empowered, and students are thriving.”
English Language Development for Emergent Bilingual students in Grades K–6
Lexia® English Language Development™ (K-6)A Cambium Learning® Group Brand
