5/7/2024

Lexia English Research Brief: Impact of Lexia English on WIDA ACCESS

Purpose: Emergent Bilingual students in the U.S. are required to take standardized English language proficiency tests annually to monitor their language development and progress toward reclassification (exiting English Learner status). The aim of this study was to examine how well Lexia English Language Development™ can benefit the English language proficiency development of Emergent Bilinguals in grades 1–5 by examining outcomes from the most widely used assessment of English language proficiency in the U.S., WIDA ACCESS for ELLs.

Method: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in one Massachusetts school district during the 2022–2023 school year. ACCESS score growth from 2022 to 2023 as well as year-end ACCESS scores in 2023, were compared for Emergent Bilinguals who used Lexia English to Emergent Bilinguals in the same district who did not use the program. Sensitivity analyses were also conducted by matching students from both groups based on their prior year ACCESS scores and language program enrollment. All analyses controlled for student demographic characteristics, prior achievement, language program enrollment, and school enrollment.

Findings:

1. Emergent Bilinguals who used Lexia English made significantly greater growth on the WIDA ACCESS English language proficiency assessment compared to students who did not use the program.
2. Students from all subgroups benefited from using Lexia English and showed greater WIDA ACCESS growth than nonusers.
3. Lexia English users scored significantly higher on the WIDA ACCESS than their peers, particularly for students at lower levels, suggesting that program impact differs based on students’ existing English proficiency.