Newsela ROCKS!

While the platform's grading format and quiz reliability may initially present obstacles, many educators find that clear communication of expectations and active guidance lead to increased satisfaction with the tool over time. By adopting a student perspective, teachers can identify and address potential confusion, thereby enhancing the overall learning experience. Despite recent changes to access limitations, with articles now predominantly designated as "PRO," Newsela remains a valuable resource for educators willing to invest in their students' reading comprehension and confidence. Its ability to provide articles at various reading levels enables teachers to support learners with diverse abilities, fostering a sense of empowerment and engagement in the classroom.

I went to use it today and found it very unwieldy and hard to use as an ELA teacher. I want to be able to practice targeted skills and since they took the reading skill search away from free accounts, I won't be using it anymore which is a shame because I loved it.

The range of topics and information is exceptional. It can be a beneficial teaching tool if you tailor its use to your students. We found that many of our students cheated on the quiz by getting answers from others or opening a private account in addition to their school account to get answers. By creating our own assignment and expectations, we got a much better idea of what students were learning and what they were not.