As a practitioner committed to enhancing the reading outcomes for children with reading or language-based disabilities, you are likely always on the lookout for effective interventions. A recent study, "Educational Technology in Support of Elementary Students With Reading or Language-Based Disabilities: A Cluster Randomized Control Trial," provides compelling evidence on the effectiveness of the Lexia® Core5® Reading program. This blog will break down the study's findings and offer actionable insights for implementing these outcomes in your practice.
Key Findings from the Study
The study involved 115 students from grades K to 5 who were flagged as needing reading intervention and had Individualized Education Program (IEP) designations of specific learning disability (SLD), speech or language impairment (SLI), or developmental delay (DD). The treatment group used Core5 for an average of 58.76 minutes weekly over 24.58 weeks.
- MAP Growth Reading: Treatment students significantly outperformed controls (B = 3.85, CI = 0.57–7.13, p = .022, d = .24).
- Oral Reading Fluency: No significant differences were observed.
Implementing Core5 in Your Practice
The Core5 program systematically addresses multiple reading domains, aligning with the Simple View of Reading framework. Here’s how you can integrate it into your practice:
- Direct and Strategy-Based Instruction: Engage in explicit teaching and modeling of reading strategies. Break down tasks into manageable steps and provide tailored feedback.
- Use of Multimedia: Core5 includes audio and visual cues, enhancing conceptual understanding and retention.
- Individualized Learning: Utilize the adaptive placement test to ensure students start at the appropriate level and progress at their own pace.
- Teacher Dashboard: Leverage the dashboard to monitor student progress and tailor interventions accordingly.
Encouraging Further Research
While the study provides promising results, it also highlights the need for more rigorous and extended research to fully understand the potential of edtech in special education. Consider participating in or conducting further studies to explore the long-term impacts and identify best practices for implementation.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Educational Technology in Support of Elementary Students With Reading or Language-Based Disabilities: A Cluster Randomized Control Trial
