Teesside-Based Lexonik Celebrates Transatlantic Success

December 4th 2024

Lexonik, the Teesside-based literacy company, is celebrating the outstanding success of a transatlantic pilot partnership.

Its award-winning reading intervention programme, Lexonik Advance, has been responsible for rapid and significant literacy attainment among hundreds of students across the Bibb County area of Georgia, USA.

Lexonik was adopted by Bibb County School District for a pilot to support students with disabilities and those with below-average reading scores.

In just one year, the programme has seen hundreds of participants achieve an average literacy growth of 156 Lexile points* – more than double the expected yearly progress for their grade level.

As a result, the UK-USA collaboration is to be extended, with Bibb County seeking to expand its use of the programmes across more students and schools.

The success of the Lexonik pilot programme in Bibb County serves as a powerful testament to the potential of Lexonik’s evidence-based approach to reading – both in the UK and overseas.

The programme, which focuses on phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension strategies tailored to individual learning needs, is designed to unlock every student’s potential, regardless of their starting point.

Sarah Ledger, CEO of Thornaby-based Lexonik, said: “We are thrilled to see the Lexonik programme making such a significant impact in Bibb County.

“Students who were previously struggling with literacy are now making huge leaps in their reading skills, and gaining great confidence at the same time.

“Reading really is at the very foundation of everything we need to be able to do in our lives in order to maximise our potential and access opportunities. We’re delighted that Lexonik is ensuring that nobody is limited because they can’t read.”

The success in Bibb County follows the programme’s key principles of personalised, research-driven literacy intervention, designed to meet the diverse needs of all students. By focusing on building confidence alongside core reading skills, the Lexonik programme has not only improved students’ academic performance but has also sparked a renewed love for learning.

Superintendent Dr. Dan A. Sims of Bibb County School District highlighted the transformative results of the pilot: "The success of the Lexonik pilot highlights how combining innovative tools with dedicated support can drive meaningful gains. We are excited to expand this program to benefit even more students, demonstrating our commitment to academic excellence and equity for all learners.”

Jennifer Donnelly, executive director of Programs for Exceptional Children, highlighted the profound impact Lexonik has had on students’ growth and self-belief: 
“Lexonik has truly transformed how our students approach reading and learning,” said Donnelly.

“Not only does the program actively engage students, but it also empowers them by building their confidence as readers. Watching their skills improve and their enthusiasm for learning blossom has been nothing short of remarkable. For many, the progress they’ve made is not just academic—it’s life-changing.”

For Lexonik, this success in the USA is part of a broader mission to improve literacy outcomes worldwide.

From its Teesside roots, Lexonik is expanding its reach, ensuring that children and adults everywhere have the opportunity to unlock their potential through improved reading skills.

Key Achievements in Bibb County:
• Average Lexile Growth: 156 points (over double the expected growth)
• Students Exceeding Expectations: 76% showed higher-than-anticipated progress

*A Lexile® measure represents a student´s reading ability: The Lexile® measure is shown as a number with an "L" after it: 750L is 750 Lexile®. Higher Lexile® measures indicate higher levels of reading ability. A Lexile® measure can range from below 200L for emergent readers to above 1600L for advanced readers.

Normal annual average is 65 Lexile points. Lexonik students saw an average of 142 Lexile growth so on average gained 2 years - they had double the growth between 2023-2024.