Schools question role of i-Ready as screen time concerns intensify |
Schools across California and the U.S. are facing growing debate over the use of i-Ready, a widely used digital learning platform that supporters say helps identify learning gaps, but critics argue increases student anxiety, screen time, and reliance on technology without delivering meaningful academic benefits. Used by more than 13m students nationwide, i-Ready provides diagnostic testing and personalized lessons in reading and math. Districts including Los Angeles Unified, Fresno Unified, and Oakland Unified use the program to assess student progress before state standardized testing begins in third grade. Supporters point to research showing students using i-Ready often outperform peers on standardized tests. Studies cited by Curriculum Associates, the company behind the platform, and other researchers found measurable gains in student performance. Education experts say the system’s adaptive learning model can help teachers tailor instruction to individual student needs. However, parents and educators increasingly question whether the program’s benefits outweigh its drawbacks, particularly for younger children. Some families say the program contributes to testing anxiety, while teachers argue students often disengage, click through lessons without learning, or struggle with the digital format.
