Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Recommended Resources IXL or ALEK math???

The initial "pie" assessment usually has 30 questions and like ColinsMum said, it depends on how you do which questions you get. In our math intervention program (obviously not gifted kids) if a child scores 50% or below, we automatically bump them down a grade. We're shooting for getting them in the 60-75% range and then working up.

The pie is visible from the parent/teacher login. If the teacher doesn't want to help, ask her to create a teacher account for you and then move your DS to that class. It takes about 45 seconds to do it and it's easy! Then you can see what he's working on, how many problems he attempted, how long he worked, create worksheets, move him from class to class and also ask for quizzes or assessments. It's all pretty user friendly and clickable.

I like ALEKS because it actually doesn't make you do a ton of questions. If you get one wrong in the work mode, it will add 2-3 more to the practice pile. If you get the first one right, you can usually complete a topic in 3-4 questions depending on the level. In school, this would usually amount to 3-4 whole worksheets spread over a week! That's pretty darned quick IMHO!

By the way, I know I sound like an ad for ALEKS... Sorry about that! I have found for a school setting it creates the easiest differentiation method with a resistant teacher and a nonsupportive school so I like it!

We've been using Aleks for a year, and I'm growing less impressed. It's not a good stand-alone curriculum, only really good for supplementation/practice, and the further out of level DS gets, the less I feel he's actually learning the material. He is being exposed to lots of concepts, but I'm not convinced he's mastering the skills in the way I would like to see.

Aleks also doesn't model problem-solving skills well; all it cares about is that you get the right answer, so there's no reinforcement for laying out a problem carefully and correctly.

I'm starting to work with Singapore Math as an offline alternative to address this.

DeeDee

Thank you everyone for the help.

We've tried IXL before but now we have found another better replacement, Beestar. Beestar is also an online learning website but offers more subject program options than IXL. As I know, it has math, language arts, science, social studies...Its math program is free.
My daughter likes to use Beestar much more than IXL. She says the math exercises are very interesting and effective. She doesn't need to spend too much time doing repetitive work. All of its questions are based on state standards and many of them are from real life problems.
Although her math ability stands out in her school, she finds plenty of competitive peers from other schools on Beestar. It's great achievement for her to get on the honor roll. She enjoys it and becomes more confident. Her teacher suggests her to enroll Beestar's GT math next semester. I am glad for her.