Lexplore Analytics has released a secondary school version of their innovative eye-tracking assessment to offer schools an objective insight into students’ literacy as soon as they enter the Year 7 classroom.

Unlike other assessments, Lexplore Analytics uses the latest in AI technology. It tracks the minute movements as a student reads a portion of text to help teachers quickly determine a child’s attainment in reading. The technology is even capable of highlighting students who may be showing signs of specific reading difficulties, such as dyslexia, so that they can be referred on for further assessments.

With no marking involved, the paperless assessment also saves countless hours of administration time, allowing teachers to focus efforts on providing the support pupils need to progress and engage with reading.  

Rhiannon Chantler, assistant head at Werneth School said: “When pupils join a secondary school in Year 7 it’s a real challenge for teachers to work out what levels they are at, particularly in reading and writing. Most schools have multiple feeder schools, and there is no uniform system for progress reporting.  What Lexplore Analytics delivers in a few minutes is an accurate insight into reading, which can also help us determine whether there are any issues. 

“Establishing what level pupils are at early in Year 7 is critical to get them working at the right level, without wasting time.”

The assessment is backed by over 30 years of peer-reviewed research from the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. It can offer teachers a unique insight into a student’s silent reading skills. This is invaluable in the secondary classroom, especially when it comes to gathering important evidence for access arrangements, such as extra time needed in exams.

The assessment can also help teachers closely follow student progress as well as monitor and drive whole-school literacy progress over time.

Stephen Park, managing director of Lexplore Analytics, explains: “We know from talking to schools that finding out what level their Year 7 pupils are working at will be harder than in previous years, as children will be entering secondary school without SAT scores or full details about their Year 6 attainment. By launching a secondary school version of Lexplore Analytics, we can help provide an accurate view of students’ level of reading and comprehension in minutes and identify which of these children will need additional support.” 

Teachers and school leaders can find out more at www.lexplore-analytics.co.uk