The National Literacy Trust Gives Lexonik a Glowing Score Card

After A 12-month Impact Evaluation Study of Its Flagship Education Product, The National Literacy Trust Has Given Lexonik A Glowing Report.

The National Literacy Trust found that Lexonik’s literacy and learning programs significantly increase the reading levels of learners^[1], improve student confidence, and enhance teachers’ ability to support their students.

The research was commissioned by Lexonik back in September 2021, against a backdrop of growing fears within schools about falling attainment in reading and literacy.

Many school leaders had become increasingly concerned that the Covid pandemic had stunted the academic development of children and young people — particularly those from socio-economically disadvantaged areas — and were looking to embrace new methods of aiding student progression.

So 375 students participated in the study on Lexonik Advance, Lexonik’s flagship program for literacy learning and intervention. At the end of the study, data collected revealed median reading age gains of 24 months after just 2.2 months (six weeks) of instruction.

Standardized reading scores increased across all assessed age groups, and further research showed that the scores were sustained long after completion of the program.

In addition, teachers reported that the students participating in Lexonik’s Advance solution made more progress than their peers and had improved confidence and independence.

The National Literacy Team research team also found that teaching staff gained confidence in supporting children with their reading development.

Sarah Ledger, CEO of Lexonik, has welcomed the National Literacy Trust’s findings and says the analysis confirms that it is very much possible to sustainably improve the reading abilities and confidence of students of all ages.

“This report is an outstanding reflection of the Lexonik Advance product and shows the significant role it has been playing in classrooms. Since Covid, there is no escaping the fact that many teachers — and parents — have been concerned about their children catching up academically, and research has consistently shown that literacy skills have been a worry since that period.

Thanks to the National Literacy Trust, we can now prove just what a positive impact our resource has, not only for young people and their abilities and confidence, but for teaching staff too.”

Sarah, who took over the role of CEO from founder Katy Parkinson in February, believes enhancing literacy and education in schools throughout the Northeast is a key part of what “true leveling up” looks like.

“The term ‘leveling up’ gets used so much by businesses and across the spectrum of services, but it’s in the classroom that we can really start to make that vital difference. It’s today’s school-aged children who we’ll be looking to for the creation and development of future businesses in, but who will also be dynamic, engaged, and proud employees of all kinds of companies, in all manner of sectors.

We have to invest now in supporting the progress of our students and ensuring that our teachers and school leaders also have the tools and the confidence that they need to deliver support — particularly at a time when schools are under so much financial pressure.”

Speaking about their involvement in the production of the report, Anne Teravainen-Goff, Evaluations Manager at the National Literacy Trust, said, “This evaluation demonstrates the impact that good quality literacy support can achieve. It shows that it is not only important that we support students to gain the skills they need to succeed in life, but that we also need to create systemic change by providing teachers with continuous professional development and resources. We are delighted to have worked with Lexonik to explore the changes their program can create in schools and see the positive feedback that came through.”

Here are more details on the findings of the National Literacy Trust evaluation study:

The median increase in reading age for participating students was 24 months over a 2.2-month period.

On average, standardized test scores increased by 7.8 for those aged 11-12, by 11.5 for those aged 12- 13, and by 15.4 for those aged 13-14.

The program was particularly beneficial for students who began with decoding skills below the national average.

Score changes were sustained long after the program ended.

Over 3 in 4 teachers (77.4%) felt that participating students made more progress than their peers.

More than 1 in 2 (54.7%) noticed a change in students’ overall confidence.

More than 2 in 5 (44.2%) felt students’ independence had improved.

Not only did the research show how much students improved in terms of their academic skills and general learning confidence, but teachers also discovered these benefits:

Approximately 9 in 10 (90.2%) felt that the program increased their confidence to support struggling readers effectively.

Nearly 9 in 10 (89.0%) thought the program was valuable for their professional development.

More than 9 in 10 felt that they had a better understanding of how to support students’ vocabulary development.

94.5% also felt the training improved their own understanding of morphemic analysis and vocabulary etymology.

More than 9 in 10 (91.3%) felt that their school was better equipped to support students’ reading overall after taking part in the program.

Lexonik currently works with hundreds of schools across the U.S., the U.K., and the Middle East. In addition to working with schools and colleges, Lexonik also proudly supports the literacy development of those currently detained in prison, through its unique outreach program.

The company’s trainers also work with businesses to support employers and their staff with reading and literacy struggles.

For more information about Lexonik’s work, contact us, or explore our programs to see what Lexonik’s solution can do for your organization.

[1] As measured by the decoding subtest of the standardized test