Purpose
This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) provides clear, step-by-step guidance for MTSS/ILS Math, ELA teachers in grades 6-8 to implement IXL effectively throughout the 2026-27 school year. This SOP ensures consistent diagnostic assessment, targeted intervention, state test preparation, and student engagement across all middle grade levels. It is important to note that grades 6 and 7 will have an established MTSS/ILS teacher while grade 8 still will not. Therefore, some aspects of the SOP are different depending on your grade level.
Key Changes
- MTSS/ILS teachers give a routine IXL schedule (15 minutes, 4 times a week)
- Protected, no-homework days in grades 6-8, once per week
- General consideration of homework tasks in relation to a shorter MTSS/ILS
- LevelUp Diagnostic rather than Flex Benchmark
- Consistent, cross-grade level gradebook entry for IXL core requirements
- Operational budget for incentives for each grade-level
Quick Reference
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Key Deadlines
- Universal Screener 1 (Beginning-of-year) ****: by August 14, 2026
- LevelUp Diagnostic: by August 21, 2026
- LevelUp Diagnostic: by October 2, 2026
- Universal Screener 2 (Mid-Year): by December 18, 2026
- LevelUp Diagnostic: January 8, 2027
- AASA Prep Phase: January 11 – April 2, 2027
- LevelUp Diagnostic: April 23rd, 2027
- Universal Screener 3 (End-of-Year): May 14, 2027
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Step-by-Step Implementation Guide
Step 1: Understand the Three Phases (Overview)
IXL implementation follows three distinct phases throughout the 2026-27 school year:
Phase I: Diagnostic + Intervention (Aug 14, 2026 – December 18, 2027)
Phase II: AASA Test Preparation (Jan 11 – Apr 2, 2027)