7/9/2024

Improving Reading Instruction: Advantages of Providing Tiered, Year-Long Implementation Support

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate an implementation model in the context of using Lexia® Core5® Reading in elementary schools. The model included an Implementation Service Package (ISP) to support building leaders and train educators on the best practices of using Core5. This study examined the impact of Lexia’s ISPs on Core5 usage and progress in the program.

METHOD: Lexia® researchers analyzed outcomes for 2,604 schools that had Core5 site licenses during the 2016–2017 school year. Of these schools, 810 purchased an ISP. There were 361,930 students in these ISP schools. The benefits of utilizing an ISP were examined by comparing the ISP schools with the remaining schools that did not purchase an ISP. Program fidelity was defined as students meeting their weekly usage targets for at least half of the weeks of program use. Student progress was measured as the average number of units in Core5 that students completed per week.

KEY FINDINGS 

• Students in ISP schools showed significantly higher fidelity rates than students in non-ISP schools. 
• The advantage of ISP support in terms of program fidelity was even more pronounced for students identified as High Risk. 
• Students in ISP schools showed greater rates of progress over the school year than students in non-ISP schools.