New Study Links IXL Summer Practice to Higher Fall Math Scores

The research, conducted by IXL Learning, highlights a direct correlation between supplemental summer practice and classroom readiness. Data indicates that for every 30 questions answered or 15 minutes of practice completed per week, students achieved measurable gains in their assessment scores. This findings arrive at a critical time, as national math scores have faced downward pressure, heightening concerns about the cumulative impact of extended time away from the classroom.

Bo Bashkov, Senior Manager of Research at IXL, emphasized that preventing the so-called summer slide does not require exhaustive study sessions. Instead, he suggests that small, intentional efforts allow children to build momentum for the upcoming academic year without sacrificing their seasonal downtime. To support this, the platform has introduced structured resources, including grade-level "Summer Boost" skill plans and the "Fluency Zone" hub, which offers gamified exercises and fast-paced challenges designed to maintain engagement levels. For families preferring analog methods, the company has also released a series of screen-free workbooks for students in grades K-5.