Lexia Core Reading 5 and PowerUp Literacy help Pre-K-5 students progress in literacy, ahead of national trends
A new report has found that students using the Lexia Core5 Reading program, created by Lexia, have performed better than the national average within one school year.
The NAEP report found that just 31 percent of fourth-grade students and 30 percent of eight-grade students were found to be at or above the NAEP Proficient level.
By the end of the 2024-25 school year, 83 percent of pre-K-5 students using Lexia Core5 Reading in the US had skills at or above grade level. Progress reports also show that 55 percent of middle and high school students using Lexia PowerUp Literacy covered three grades of reading within one school year.
More than a third of students using Core5 who were working two or more grades below their own level ended the school year at their own grade level or above. The percentage of Pre-K-5 students reading on or above their grade level increased from 41 percent to 83 percent within the 2024-25 school year.
By the end of that same school year, 85 percent of students using PowerUp saw their reading skills improve by at least six grades. The percentage of students working on advanced skills in all strands increased from 1 percent to 41 percent.
“One of Lexia’s tenets is regularly researching the efficacy of the programs we offer,” says Nick Gaehde, President at Lexia . “In our latest report, we followed the progress of over 1.3 million students who were using Core5 or PowerUp with fidelity. Once again, the results show that the programs effectively accelerate the learning of students performing below grade level.”
Core5 and PowerUp provide students with personalized learning plans that support children with literacy skills.
“We consistently hear from teachers and administrators that one of their greatest challenges is the increasing range of student needs and skill development level in each grade level and classroom,” adds Ashley Andersen Zantop, CEO at Cambium Learning Group, which owns Lexia. “We are incredibly proud of and committed to the incredible work the Lexia team does. From the research to the proof, Core5 and PowerUp accelerate student literacy outcomes and deliver the real results students and educators need today.”
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026
The EdTech Innovation Hub Awards celebrate excellence in global education technology, with a particular focus on workforce development, AI integration, and innovative learning solutions across all stages of education.
Now open for entries, the ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 recognize the companies, platforms, and individuals driving transformation in the sector, from AI-driven assessment tools and personalized learning systems, to upskilling solutions and digital platforms that connect learners with real-world outcomes.
Submissions are open to organizations across the UK, the Americas, and internationally. Entries should highlight measurable impact, whether in K–12 classrooms, higher education institutions, or lifelong learning settings.
Winners will be announced on 14 January 2026 as part of an online showcase featuring expert commentary on emerging trends and standout innovation. All winners and finalists will also be featured in our first print magazine, to be distributed at BETT 2026.
