Lexia Data Shows Literacy Gains Amid Global Reading Decline
Event summary
- OECD's PISA 2025 results show a 14-point decline in average reading performance among 15-year-olds across OECD countries, the largest decline ever recorded.
- U.S. reading performance declined 14 points from 2022 to 2025, the lowest score recorded since 2000.
- Lexia's 2025–26 data shows significant literacy growth among students using Core5 and PowerUp with fidelity, including those who began the year multiple grade levels behind.
- Among 1.1 million U.S. Pre-K–5 students using Core5, the percentage working on skills at or above grade level increased from 42% to 84%.
- Among 42,760 U.S. students in grades 6–12 using PowerUp, 57% covered three or more grade levels of skills in a single school year.
The big picture
The stark contrast between the global decline in reading achievement and Lexia's reported gains highlights the potential of targeted, evidence-based literacy interventions. As education systems grapple with persistent literacy gaps, Lexia's data suggests that strategic, science-based approaches can drive meaningful progress, even for students significantly behind grade level. The findings underscore the need for consistent implementation of effective literacy programs across the K-12 continuum.
What we're watching
- Program Scaling
- Whether Lexia can sustain and scale these literacy gains across a broader student population.
- Market Adoption
- The pace at which schools and districts adopt Lexia's evidence-based literacy solutions.
- Policy Impact
- How the PISA results and Lexia's data may influence education policy and funding priorities.