What does IXL do to kids?

IXL provides personalized K-12 online learning in core subjects, offering targeted practice, real-time feedback, and adaptive skill progression through interactive questions and tutorials, aiming to fill knowledge gaps and build confidence; however, some kids find its repetitive, score-focused system stressful or frustrating, leading to anxiety and demotivation, despite features like games and audio support for diverse needs.

Is IXL good or bad for kids?

IXL is great for developing a scope and sequence. It's also a good tool for finding knowledge gaps and giving your kids independent practice opportunities. That said, it doesn't teach concepts, it assesses them, and a LOT of homeschoolers have a negative sense of IXL because of that misconception.

Does IXL affect mental health?

Statistics indicate a significant rise in stress-related issues among students due to pressurizing educational systems. The American Psychological Association (APA) found that 45% of teens said they were stressed by school pressures. IXL, with its high-speed and challenging tasks, contributes to this growing issue.

What does IXL do for students?

How does IXL work? IXL works by offering skills that students practice, one at a time, earning them points and ribbons when they get questions correct. Once 100 points are collected for a certain skill, they are awarded a stamp in their virtual book. Once multiple skills are mastered, they can earn virtual prizes.

What do teachers say about IXL?

I love how convenient it is to differentiate instruction with IXL. I can teach a whole group lesson by choosing one skill for the whole class, or I can assign a specific skill at a specific level for a specific student. I love the instant feedback on every question. I love that you can assign specific skills.

IXL for families: Getting started for grades 3 to 8

Why is IXL being sued?

Dive Brief:

The lawsuit, which was filed in May by several parents in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, claims IXL Learning collected and monetized the data of millions of school-age children without parental consent, violating the Federal Wiretap Act and other state laws.

What is the most successful homeschool method?

There's no single "most successful" homeschool method; success depends on matching a method to your child's needs and your family's lifestyle, with popular choices including Classical (structured, history/logic focus), Charlotte Mason (living books, nature), Montessori (child-led, sensory materials), and Unschooling (interest-driven). The best method is the one that keeps your child engaged and learning effectively, whether it's structured and academic or flexible and interest-based.
 

Why do schools still use IXL?

Schools still use IXL because it's a popular, research-backed platform offering personalized learning, adaptive practice, and valuable analytics to help differentiate instruction, address learning gaps (especially post-pandemic), boost student engagement, and improve test scores across various subjects, supporting both struggling students and advanced learners. Its broad coverage (PreK-12, multiple subjects like Math, ELA, Science, Spanish) and ability to track real-time progress make it a comprehensive tool for teachers and districts. 

Is IXL British or American?

IXL Learning is the largest educational technology company in North America. With 25 years of experience in education, we reach millions of learners around the world through a diverse range of products.

What is the most popular homeschool curriculum?

Homeschool Planet's Top 10 Favorite Curriculum Choices

• All About Reading/All About Spelling. ...
• Math Mammoth. ...
• IEW Fix It Grammar. ...
• Story of the World. ...
• Berean Builders. ...
• Teaching Textbooks. ...
• Beautiful Feet Books. ...
• Science Shepherd.

What are the negative effects of IXL?

Numerous reviews detail instances of children crying, feeling demotivated, and even harming their devices due to the stress this platform generates, leading to calls for educators to avoid using it altogether.

Is IXL good for ADHD?

Whether IXL is good for kids with ADHD is mixed: it offers personalized, skill-building practice and diagnostics that can help some, but its repetitive "drill-and-kill," score-dropping system can cause significant stress, frustration, and anxiety, hindering learning for others, particularly those needing contextual application or struggling with perfectionism. Success depends heavily on the individual child's learning style, with some thriving on structure and others needing more engaging, less punishing methods, so use it as a supplement with careful monitoring.
 

What is the #1 most diagnosed mental disorder?

The #1 most diagnosed mental disorder category is Anxiety Disorders, encompassing conditions like Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Anxiety Disorder, and phobias, affecting millions globally and in the U.S., often followed by depression as the second most common. Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive fear and worry, impacting daily life, with millions experiencing them annually, making them the leading type of mental illness.
 

How often should kids use IXL?

When students first use the Flex Diagnostic, we recommend they aim to diagnose until their complete diagnostic data is revealed—for most students, this will be around 45 minutes per subject. After that, we suggest answering 10–15 diagnostic questions each week to help keep their levels and recommendations up to date.

Is Khan Academy or IXL better?

IXL and Khan Academy are popular K-12 learning platforms, with the key difference being IXL offers structured, paid, adaptive practice with deep analytics for specific skills, while Khan Academy provides a free, comprehensive library of video lessons and practice across many subjects, focusing on conceptual understanding through self-paced learning. Choose IXL for targeted, data-driven skill mastery; choose Khan Academy for free, broad, conceptual learning. 

Is IXL good for autism?

IXL's clear, consistent format can also benefit students who thrive on structure and routine, such as those on the autism spectrum.

Which curriculum is better, IB or British?

Today, both the IB and the British curriculum are valued around the world: the British system is often praised for its structure, academic focus, and in-depth subject specialisation, while the IB is known for its holistic, skills-based approach, encouraging critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and global ...

What does 100 mean in IXL?

A skill is mastered when the SmartScore reaches 100, but the number of questions it takes to master a skill varies with every student. To continuously motivate students, IXL recommends setting other practice milestones along the way to mastery. A score of 80 is proficient, and a score of 90 is considered excellent.

Who is the owner of IXL?

Paul Mishkin Chief Executive Officer

Paul founded IXL Learning in 1998 as a way to explore the potential for Web-based technologies in education. A former software engineer, he built and launched the initial version of the company's first product, which allowed teachers to create and share interactive study materials.

Why do kids not like IXL?

While it claims to enhance learning outcomes, there is growing concern about its negative impact on students' emotional well-being. This essay argues that IXL can make people sad due to its excessive focus on repetitive tasks, lack of personalization, and potential for fostering unhealthy competition.

Who sued IXL?

Introduction. On August 13, the FTC filed an amicus brief in a lawsuit against edtech vendor IXL Learning (Shanahan v. IXL Learning Inc., 3:24-cv-02724, (N.D. Cal.)).

What is the #1 high school in the US?

There isn't one single #1 high school, as rankings vary by publication and criteria, but BASIS Tucson North was named #1 by U.S. News in their 2025-2026 rankings, while NC School of Science and Mathematics (NC) is often top-ranked by Niche, and other top contenders include Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (VA) and Stuyvesant High School (NY). These rankings often favor specialized STEM schools or magnet schools with rigorous selective admissions.
 

Was Taylor Swift ever homeschooled?

Yes, Taylor Swift was homeschooled during her high school years to accommodate her burgeoning music career, allowing her the flexibility to travel and focus on songwriting, with her parents enrolling her in programs like Aaron Academy to complete her education while touring. She effectively left traditional public school after 10th grade to focus on music, completing her diploma through homeschooling. 

What is the hardest age to homeschool?

There's no single "hardest" age to homeschool, as it varies, but many parents find the preschool/early elementary years draining due to high dependence on the parent, while others struggle most with middle school (ages 11-14) due to hormonal changes, growing independence, and social pressures, and some find teen years (15+) difficult with the balance of self-direction and major life transitions like driving. The difficulty often shifts from parental teaching burden in early years to managing teen autonomy and social challenges later on, with some finding the first year of homeschooling hardest overall, regardless of age. 

What is the 70 30 rule in teaching?

The 70/30 rule in teaching is a principle that shifts focus from teacher-led instruction to student-centered, active learning, suggesting students should do 70% of the talking/practice and teachers 30% of direct instruction, or that teachers plan 70% for activities and 30% for content, promoting deeper engagement and skill development over passive reception, particularly in language learning.