IXL and ReadTheory are often top choices for teachers seeking an adaptive reading comprehension program. Despite several similarities, these platforms differ significantly in their methods of enhancing reading abilities. Take a look at the visual summary below, and then learn more about each platform in detail!
| ReadTheory | IXL | |
| Continuously Adaptive | ✅ | x |
| On-Demand Diagnostics | ✅ | ✅ |
| Auto-Assigned Differentiation | ✅ | x |
| Real-time feedback for students | ✅ | ✅ |
| Real-time Reporting | ✅ | ✅ |
| Holiday Themed Content | ✅ | ✅ |
| Printable Workbooks | ✅ | x |
| Cost | $ | $ |
| ESSER Approved | ✅ | ✅ |
1. Reading Content
IXL: Offers a wide range of subjects and topics including math, language arts, science, social studies, and Spanish, catering to different grade levels from K-12.
ReadTheory: Primarily specializes in reading comprehension with passages across various genres and topics, for grades K-12 and ELLS, including adult learners.
2. Adaptive Learning
IXL: Adapts difficulty levels based on the student’s performance and provides immediate feedback.
ReadTheory: Adapts reading passages and questions based on the student’s performance, gradually adjusting difficulty levels to match reading levels, while providing immediate feedback.
3. Student Feedback and Progress Tracking
IXL: Provides detailed feedback on each question attempted and tracks student progress with real-time analytics and reports.
ReadTheory: Offers detailed feedback on quiz responses and tracks progress through a personalized dashboard, showing real-time analytics and reports regarding reading levels, skills mastered, and areas for improvement.
4. Pricing for Reading Tools
IXL: Requires a subscription for full access to content, with options for individual, family, or school-wide licenses.
ReadTheory: Offers a free version with many included features and a premium subscription for full access to more content and features such as advanced reporting and customization.
5. Student Scoring System
IXL: Uses a question-based scoring system through which students earn points for each question they answer correctly. The number of points awarded may vary depending on the difficulty level of the question and the level of mastery demonstrated by the student.
ReadTheory: Uses an adaptive scoring system based on the difficulty of passages and questions. Students earn points for answering questions correctly, and the difficulty of subsequent passages and questions adjusts based on their performance. The system takes into account factors such as accuracy, reading speed, and comprehension level to calculate scores.
ReadTheory and IXL both provide essential tools for educators seeking to improve students’ reading comprehension skills through adaptive technology. ReadTheory stands out for its focus on personalized reading practice, tailored to meet the unique needs of each student, while IXL offers a broader range of subjects beyond reading comprehension. You can sign up for ReadTheory for free today. After examining the features of both platforms, it’s clear that they can effectively enhance student engagement and foster academic growth. Integrating both platforms into the curriculum throughout the school year can offer a strong support for students’ learning needs. We’re confident you can now select the platform that best suits your goals for enhancing students’ reading comprehension skills!
