Ensuring Literacy for Young Learners in Colorado with IXL: A New Initiative

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) is taking significant steps to enhance reading skills among young learners. With its recent approval of IXL as a K-3 supplemental reading program, the state is not only prioritizing literacy but also providing essential resources for districts to improve educational outcomes.

A New Era in Literacy Education

In March 2025, CDE announced that IXL Language Arts would be available for use with state funds by eligible districts. This program has already made a substantial impact, with over 160,000 Colorado students currently utilizing its engaging platform. Paul Mishkin, CEO of IXL Learning, emphasized the importance of unlocking literacy skills, stating, “Reading opens doors for students, and Colorado is making it a priority to give every child that opportunity.”

The decision to incorporate IXL aligns with a decade-long commitment to improving early literacy through the READ Act, ensuring that schools are equipped to offer evidence-based reading instruction. By integrating IXL, Colorado districts gain access to innovative tools designed to foster reading proficiency from a young age.

Building Foundational Skills

One of the standout features of IXL is its comprehensive approach to teaching reading skills. The platform guides students through various foundational skills such as recognizing rhymes and syllables before advancing to phonics and comprehension strategies. Engaging stories across diverse genres keep students interested and excited about learning.

With IXL’s tailored skill plans, educators have access to a structured roadmap for closing literacy gaps systematically. These plans, along with IXL’s Diagnostic tool, identify each student’s reading level precisely, enabling personalized learning experiences that adapt to individual needs.

Tailored Instruction

Effective reading instruction involves clear examples and explicit teaching. To bridge the gap, IXL offers more than 1,200 video tutorials. These resources make complex concepts accessible, as demonstrated by phonics videos that teach students how to articulate sounds accurately. Furthermore, when students make mistakes, the platform takes it a step further by not only indicating the error but also explaining it, fostering a deeper understanding and promoting learning autonomy.

The results speak for themselves. Research indicates that K-3 students who consistently engage with IXL ELA demonstrate superior performance on the Star Early Literacy Assessment, achieving higher reading levels than their peers. Additionally, a recent study from Colorado showed that students in grades 3-8 utilizing IXL outperformed others on the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) ELA assessment.

A Comprehensive Educational Framework

Currently, IXL is utilized by 16 million students across 96 of the top 100 school districts in the United States, showcasing its widespread adoption and efficacy. The platform provides a rich curriculum that spans Pre-K through 12th grade, covering not only English Language Arts but also math, science, social studies, and Spanish, making it a versatile educational tool for diverse classrooms.

With over 160 billion questions answered worldwide, IXL continues to evolve alongside educational needs and technological advancements. The goal is clear: to enhance student achievement and empower educators, all with the shared aspiration of nurturing confident, independent learners.

For more information about IXL and its offerings, visit IXL's official website.