Quakertown district reports IXL rollout: 78% teacher engagement and steps to refine use
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Summary
District staff told the board that 78% of rostered teachers are actively using IXL and students are averaging about two skills per week; presenters emphasized targeted implementation, professional development, and follow-up on students with missing diagnostic 'arena' levels.
District staff presented a progress report on the IXL adaptive practice platform during the Nov. 19 board meeting, describing a phased rollout (grades 2–8 plus algebra) intended to provide real-time data for instruction and to support teachers’ planning. Presenters said the district set modest expectations — roughly two skills per week per subject — and reported that 78% of rostered teachers are currently active in the system while students are averaging about two skills per week.
Presenters emphasized that roster engagement figures include all staff rostered in the platform (including art, special-education and ancillary teachers not expected to use IXL daily), which explains why a 78% active-teacher figure does not imply 22% of required teachers are avoiding the platform. The district team explained that a portion of missing "current levels" on a dashboard are from students who have not yet completed enough questions in the IXL "arena" diagnostic; that status is updated continually as students participate and teachers schedule arena time.
Board members pressed for detail: one asked why 45 teachers appeared inactive (presenters noted the purchase covered specific grades and course areas and that some staff are intentionally not rostered), and another asked for confirmation that teachers feel proficient using the tool. Presenters said teacher confidence in using IXL increased after professional development sessions (95% of attendees who used IXL reported confidence in analyzing data after a Nov. 4 PD) and offered to provide building-level lists of rostering and activity so the board can follow up where needed.
Administration said the district will continue monthly adjustments to use and is scheduling additional PD focused on using IXL data to prepare for high-stakes assessments such as the PSSA/Keystone. The presentation included metrics pulled from the district dashboard and a plan for targeted coaching for teachers who indicated they would like additional support.