Which Lexia reading program should my student use: Core5 or PowerUp?
Overview
Students with a "Not Started" Reading Status in myLexia are automatically enrolled in either Lexia® Core5® Reading or Lexia® PowerUp Literacy® based on their grade. The “Core5 Grade” setting in the school or district’s myLexia site determines which grades are assigned to either program. The default setting is that students in grades PreK-5 are enrolled in Core5, and students in grades 6 and above are enrolled in PowerUp. For more information, see myLexia Settings: Highest Grade automatically Assigned to Core5.
There may be circumstances where an educator wants to assign a student to a different program other than what they are enrolled in by default. This article explains several factors to take into consideration when deciding whether Core5 or PowerUp is more appropriate for a student.
Applies to: Educators and administrators who have Teacher or Admin access to myLexia®
Understanding the difference between Core5 and PowerUp
In order to make informed program assignment decisions, it is important to understand the different intentions behind Core5 and PowerUp and what skills and audiences they target.
Core5 is designed to accelerate the development of foundational reading and advanced literacy skills in grades PreK-5. The program focuses on six areas of reading, from phonological awareness to comprehension, and teaches skills using content and engagement styles that are age-appropriate for elementary school students.
PowerUp is designed to meet the diverse needs of students in grades 6-12, whether they are several grade levels behind or show risk of not meeting college and career-ready standards. The program provides targeted support in three strands (Word Study, Grammar, and Comprehension) to advance overall reading proficiency toward grade-level standards. PowerUp covers K-8th+ grade levels of material, while using content appropriate for adolescent students.
What factors should I consider before changing my student's program assignment?
When deciding which Lexia reading program is most appropriate for your student, consider the following factors:
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Core5 is designed to support literacy instruction for students in grades PreK-5, and was built to engage and spark the interest of students in elementary school. The content, tasks, and pace are rooted in research about developing readers in this age group.
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PowerUp is designed to support literacy instruction for students in grades 6-12 who require additional support in developing foundational reading skills. The program was built to accommodate students who are reading below grade level, while including topics and engagement features designed to be of interest to students in 6th-12th grade. It is not intended as an enrichment tool for elementary students.
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Core5 reports are based on grade level benchmarks up to 5th grade. If a student in grade 6 or higher is assigned to Core5, they will not receive a Performance Predictor. Their weekly minutes will always be set to 100 minutes per week, regardless of their rate and accuracy in the program.
For students who have finished Core5
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If your student has finished Core5, note that PowerUp is not a direct continuation of Core5. PowerUp covers many of the same skills as Core5, but in a more appropriate manner for students in grades 6-12. For more ideas on how to celebrate students' completion of Core5, see: Celebrating Success: Next Steps After Your Student Completes Core5.
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Switching a student’s program assignment deletes all previous progress and data. If the student has previously used a Lexia reading program, save or print any reports you want to keep before changing their placement.
Schools and districts have the best understanding of their own circumstances and students’ individual needs. Each learner has a unique set of abilities and experiences, and decisions to change a student's Lexia reading program can be made on a case-by-case basis.
Based on the above factors, if you believe your student would benefit from being switched to a different reading program, see one of these articles: