8/31/2022

Impact of Using Lexia English in Arizona

PURPOSE: Since 2010, the number of Emergent Bilinguals has increased greatly in the United States. To succeed in school, these students need instruction that emphasizes academic language. Lexia® English Language Development® is designed to support English language development in Emergent Bilinguals through academic conversations. This study evaluates the relationship between using Lexia English and English language proficiency outcomes for students in grades 1–6.

METHOD: In this quasi-experimental study, Lexia® researchers partnered with a school district in Arizona to examine whether use of Lexia English contributed to gains on the Arizona English-Language Learner Assessment (AZELLA). We computed change scores from before-Lexia English use (spring 2020) to after-Lexia English use (spring 2021) and compared change scores for students who used Lexia English with those who did not. The relationship between use of Lexia English and AZELLA outcomes was examined after controlling for student demographics and school differences.

KEY FINDINGS

• Emergent Bilinguals who used Lexia English showed significantly greater English language proficiency growth on AZELLA than students who did not use Lexia English.
• Lexia English users had significantly greater odds of moving up a proficiency level on AZELLA than non-Lexia English students.
• Lexia English users displayed the greatest growth in the AZELLA speaking and reading subdomains.