Districts in Illinois and Wisconsin Deploy Lexia Reading Core5

More than 350 schools and districts in in Illinois and Wisconsin have implemented personalized instructional technology Lexia Reading Core5.

Berwyn South School District 100 (IL) deployed Reading Core5 across all elementary schools at the beginning of the 2014–2015 school year. According to Colleen Cummings, director of special education at the district, “Our struggling readers needed a structured reading program like Lexia that applies proven research, science and methodologies to accelerate fundamental literacy skills acquisition.”

Cummings said that mid-year results from Berwyn South showed significant progress among students who were categorized as at high risk of not meeting end-of-year benchmarks. When they consistently met their recommended minutes on the program, the number of at-risk students was reduced by more than half—from 32 percent to 15 percent between September 2014 and February 2015.

Another district using Lexia Reading Core 5 is West Allis-West Milwaukee School District (WI).  Jill Ries, the district’s K-12 instructional services coordinator, decided to use the program for all pre-K-5 students across the district because “above grade-level students get enrichment and our struggling readers get far more than a phonics or decoding program.” Ries also uses Lexia’s Assessment Without Testing technology, which “gathers student performance data without administering a test,” she said. “It provides our teachers and intervention specialists with real-time reports on student progress as well as individualized action plans that recommend targeted instructional strategies and structured lessons.”

Lexia Reading Core5 is designed to provide a personalized learning path for each student, including scaffolding and explicit instruction that supports students if they struggle. Each of the 18 levels of age-appropriate, skill-specific activities aligns to state standards, including the Common Core State Standards.

About the Author

Christopher Piehler is the former editor-in-chief of THE Journal.

Featured

  • split-screen digital illustration of two AI-influenced classrooms

    What AI Gets Right and How It Will Be Used in the Year Ahead

    AI has tremendous potential to do good in education while honoring and upholding the essential role of teachers. However, its success will depend on how we choose to use it.

  • DreamBox Math

    Discovery Education Announces Updates to Experience, DreamBox Math

    K-12 learning solution provider Discovery Education has announced enhancements to its Discovery Education Experience and DreamBox Math products, designed to create a more personalized, engaging learning experience for students.

  • The AI Show

    Register for Free to Attend the World's Greatest Show for All Things AI in EDU

    The AI Show @ ASU+GSV, held April 5–7, 2025, at the San Diego Convention Center, is a free event designed to help educators, students, and parents navigate AI's role in education. Featuring hands-on workshops, AI-powered networking, live demos from 125+ EdTech exhibitors, and keynote speakers like Colin Kaepernick and Stevie Van Zandt, the event offers practical insights into AI-driven teaching, learning, and career opportunities. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to integrate AI into classrooms while exploring innovations that promote equity, accessibility, and student success.

  • A geometric pattern of open Chromebook computers with bold outlines, subtle shading, and soft gradients, spaced evenly with vibrant green and blue accents on a neutral background.

    Challenges and Opportunities Ahead for the 'Great Chromebook Refresh'

    During the pandemic, the education community scrambled to provide students with laptops to promote online learning equity and mitigate learning loss. Today, those devices are approaching the end of their useful lives — and a "great Chromebook refresh" has been predicted as schools seek to replace them with newer models.