IXL Program Boosts Student Achievement at Rogers Middle School
Students see significant growth in skills, some advancing multiple grade levels in months
ROCKLAND - February 10 - Rogers Middle School has implemented the IXL program, replacing iReady, to drive curriculum changes and improve student performance. Teachers report substantial growth in student skills since the program's introduction over the summer.
Ms. Rebecca Coburn, a teacher at Rogers Middle School, presented the program's success to the school committee on Monday, February 10. She brought two students, Aaliyah and Braylynn, to share their experiences with IXL.
"I've gone from a 630 to an 820 score. I'm now able to do eighth grade skills, two grade levels in half of the year," Braylynn told the committee. "My writing test scores are improving from an 87 to a 98."
The IXL program provides personalized learning experiences for students, allowing them to work on skills tailored to their individual needs. The program updates students' skill levels in real-time as they practice, providing immediate feedback and explanations for incorrect answers.
Coburn emphasized the program's ability to motivate students intrinsically. "At the beginning of the school year, I really wanted to create a positive correlation with IXL in the students' minds, have it not be like, 'Oh, here's another thing I have to do,'" she explained.
To encourage engagement, Coburn implemented a reward system where students color in boxes on a poster for each mastered skill. When they reach a designated spot, they can choose from a list of prizes such as game time, outdoor class time, or treats.
The program's effectiveness is evident in the rapid progress some students have made. Coburn shared an example of a student who started at a sixth-grade level in September and was approaching a ninth-grade level by January.
IXL's comprehensive approach covers reading, vocabulary, writing, and grammar. It also extends beyond English, offering data for other subjects like world languages, history, and science.
One key advantage of IXL over its predecessor is the speed at which teachers can gather and analyze data. Coburn demonstrated how she could create a quiz in five minutes, send it to students, and immediately review the results with them.
"It's really quick data analysis in real time. And I can adapt my instruction very quickly," Coburn said. "And it's not taking over my instruction, which is really awesome. It's not taking away from my time as a teacher. It's adding and it's supporting that instruction that's happening in class."
The program also allows for easy differentiation. If a student struggles with a seventh-grade level skill, teachers can quickly adjust the difficulty level up or down as needed.
Students appreciate the program's targeted approach and explanations. "I like IXL more than iReady because it accurately targets the topics and skills I need to work on while still being easy to navigate," Aaliyah said.
Braylynn added, "My experience with IXL is much better than iReady. It gives me the opportunity to see why I got the answers wrong and what I can do in the future to prevent making the same mistake more than once."
The program's success has led to increased voluntary usage among students. Coburn noted that even during free periods, students choose to practice English skills on IXL.
School committee members expressed enthusiasm for the program's results. Superintendent Alan Cron commented, "I think it's genius. And I'm really happy you've embraced it."
As Rogers Middle School continues to implement IXL, teachers and administrators are optimistic about its potential to further improve student achievement across various subjects and grade levels.