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Tag: khan kids

  • Finding Sustainable Funding for Early Learning: How Khan Academy Kids Can Help

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    We know many district leaders are navigating a difficult moment. With ESSER funds ending and budgets stretched thin, you’re still working to meet ambitious literacy and math goals for your youngest learners. It can feel like a balancing act—supporting students and teachers while keeping costs predictable for the long term.

    Affordable Early Learning Programs That Fit Any Budget

    And as new features were introduced to support schools and district-level implementation, we were committed to ensuring cost would not be a burden for our partners. At $5 per student, Khan Academy Kids can fit into existing budgets, helping districts avoid the disruption of “start-stop” programs. That means students and teachers get consistent support year after year.

    As federal funding shifts, schools need programs that won’t disappear when grants expire. That’s why we designed Khan Academy Kids to be both affordable and sustainable. The mobile app is, and will always be, available at no cost to both families and teachers, with no in-app advertising. 

    For just $5 per student, districts receive:

    • A web-based teacher dashboard accessible via laptop computer with insights to guide instruction
    • District-level reporting to track engagement
    • Family resources to support learning at home
    • Professional learning and teacher support at no extra cost

    Our goal is simple: to be a partner you can count on.


    Funding Sources for Early Literacy and Math Programs

    Here are some of the most common ways schools and districts are making Khan Academy Kids part of their plan:

    • Title I – Many schools use Title I funds to support supplemental academic programs. Khan Academy Kids builds strong early literacy and math foundations, especially for students who need extra support.
    • Title II – Because a Khan Academy Kids Partnership includes professional learning, districts can use Title II funds, focusing on the included professional learning and teacher effectiveness outcomes that come through partnership.
    • Title III – For English learners, Title III can support programs that strengthen vocabulary and language development. Khan Academy Kids offers language-rich activities that help students build confidence.
    • Title IV, Part A – These grants give schools flexibility to provide well-rounded educational opportunities. With literacy, math, and executive functioning activities, Khan Academy Kids supports the whole child.
    • State Literacy Initiatives – Many states are investing in early literacy aligned to the science of reading. Khan Academy Kids helps districts align with these benchmarks in a cost-effective way.
    • Local Budgets – Because the cost is so low, some districts are able to fund Khan Academy Kids directly from curriculum, early childhood, or technology budgets.
    • Philanthropy & Local Foundations – Some districts partner with local education foundations or nonprofits to fund enrichment or supplemental programs.
    • Community & Business Partnerships – Financial support from your school’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA) or local businesses, especially for early learning and family engagement.

    Learn how Khan Academy Kids can fit into your district’s foundational literacy and math strategy >>


    How Schools Use Federal & State Grants for Early Learning

    1. Start Inside Your School/District
      • Ask your curriculum director if there are discretionary funds for digital learning, early literacy, or supplemental curriculum. Many schools have small budgets for classroom innovation.
      • Check with your Title I coordinator (if you’re in a Title I school). Title I funds often support supplemental reading and math programs.
      • Professional development budgets (Title II) may also apply, since Khan Kids includes free PD.
    2. State Department of Education Websites
      Most states maintain pages for literacy initiatives, early learning, or classroom grants.

      Examples:

      • “Literacy Grants” or “Early Childhood Education” sections on your state DOE site.
      • Some states (e.g., Michigan, Kentucky, Colorado) have dedicated grant portals where teachers can apply directly.
    3. Federal and State Literacy Grants
    4. Education Grant Directories
      • Grants.gov → Main federal portal (search “literacy” or “early childhood”).
      • Foundation Directory Online (Candid.org) → Many education foundations post grants here.
      • GetEdFunding.com (from Corwin) → Free searchable database of education grants.
    5. Local & Community Foundations
      • United Way often funds early childhood development, early literacy, and family engagement.
      • Local education foundations (usually connected to school districts) often provide mini-grants teachers can apply for ($500–$2,000 range).
      • Community foundations in your region (search “[Your City] community foundation education grants”).
    6. Grants and Microgrants for Teachers
      If you just need funding for a smaller classroom pilot:
      • DonorsChoose.org — You can set up a project for Khan Academy Kids licenses. Many donors (and even corporations) sponsor literacy-focused projects.
      • NEA Foundation Grants — The National Education Association offers grants for instructional materials and PD.
      • Fund for Teachers — Supports innovative teaching projects, including classroom resources.

    Your work is about giving students the best possible start—and we want to make that work easier, not harder. By keeping costs predictable and including professional learning, Khan Academy Kids is designed to be a steady partner, even as funding shifts.

    If you’d like to explore how Khan Academy Kids could fit into your district’s funding plan, we’d be glad to talk with you.

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    Megan Colburn

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  • 6 Fun and Easy Ways to Help Kids Get Ready for the New School Year

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    By Megan Colburn

    The start of a new school year is an exciting time, especially for young children starting pre-school or elementary school. Whether you’re a parent preparing your child for school or a teacher welcoming students to your classroom, creating a smooth transition sets the stage for a successful year.

    To help, we’ve rounded up six fun, simple, and educational ways to get kids ready for school, featuring free resources from the Khan Academy Kids app and printable worksheets from our Help Center. These back-to-school activities are perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and early elementary students.


    1. Start a Back-to-School Countdown Calendar

    Creating a countdown calendar builds anticipation and helps kids emotionally prepare for school. Use our First Day of School printable or make your own with stickers and drawings.

    📲 Watch “Circle Time” videos in the Khan Academy Kids app > Library > Videos to introduce daily routines in a fun, familiar way.

    Back-to-School Activity for Kids: First Day Sign

    2. Practice Early Learning Skills with Educational Games

    Back-to-School Activities for Kids

    3. Practice Morning Routines for a Smooth Start

    Morning routines help children feel secure and confident. Use pretend play or a visual schedule to practice dressing, brushing teeth, and packing a backpack.

    📲 In the Khan Kids app, explore the routines-based activities like “This Way,” Put on Shoes,” and “Bath Song.” You can find these in Library > Logic + > Physical Development > Healthy Habits.

    Back-to-School Activity for Kids: Routines Video

    4. Build Emotional Readiness with Executive Functioning Activities

    Preparing for a new environment can bring up big feelings. Support emotional development with these activities in the Khan Academy Kids app:

    • Play Emotional Functioning Games > Library > Logic+
    • Read “Starting School” > Library > Stories with Lessons
    • Play “Name that Feeling” > Library > Videos > Early Feelings
    Back-to-School Activity for Kids: Starting School Book

    5. Encourage Reading with a Cozy Book Nook


    6. Celebrate Back-to-School with Creative Crafts

    Crafts help kids get excited and express themselves. Try coloring Khan Kids character sheets or drawing a picture of what they think school will be like.

    🎨 Inside the app, visit the Create tab for digital drawing and storytelling fun.


    Support a Confident Start with Khan Academy Kids

    Whether your child is starting preschool, kindergarten, or early elementary school, small steps can make a big difference. The Khan Academy Kids app offers a safe, joyful space to explore reading, math, executive functioning, and creativity—100% free, with no ads or subscriptions.

    📲 Download Khan Academy Kids
    🖨️ Browse free printable worksheets and activities
    👩‍🏫 Families, share the Khan Academy Kids app with your child’s teacher

    Here’s to a bright, confident start to the school year!

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    Megan Colburn

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  • How Sojourner Truth Academy Raised Achievement with Khan Academy Kids

    How Sojourner Truth Academy Raised Achievement with Khan Academy Kids

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    By Kaitlin Anselmo Pothireddy

    Known for its culture of joyful learning, Sojourner Truth Academy faced significant challenges as it transitioned back to full-time, in-person learning. With a new curriculum in place as part of their five-year strategic plan, the academy sought affordable tools that would support their educators and enhance student progress toward grade-level performance. 

    Challenged to truly differentiate for all students

    As Sojourner Truth Academy welcomed students back to the classroom, they encountered difficulties when trying to meet the individualized needs of their scholars. The introduction of a new curriculum added another layer of complexity. Maintaining their established culture of joyful learning while simultaneously elevating student progress required innovative and effective solutions.

    Supported by a mastery-based learning platform

    Maureen Kroening, Director of Teaching & Learning at Sojourner Truth Academy, spearheaded several initiatives under the strategic plan. Among these was the implementation of a clear academic vision and the increased use of data to inform instruction. In pursuit of these goals, Kroening selected Khan Academy Kids to integrate data-driven, adaptive learning into the curriculum. This tool was chosen to enhance early literacy and math skills while preserving the school’s joyful learning environment. “Students are authentically excited to engage with Khan Academy Kids. And we’ve seen huge growth in student proficiency toward grade-level achievement,” Kroening said of the platform. By incorporating engaging and interactive activities, teachers leveraged Khan Academy Kids to make learning fun and effective.

    Support that helps all teachers feel confident with data

    Khan Academy Kids provided an adaptive learning platform that seamlessly fit into Sojourner Truth Academy’s curriculum. The platform’s data-driven approach, along with targeted professional development, allowed teachers to tailor their instruction to meet the individual needs of each student. Of this, Kroening states, “Working with the Khan Academy Kids team has been a joy. I truly feel like the customer service we receive is top of the line, and I know our teachers do too.”

    Amazing educators raised engagement and achievement

    The integration of Khan Academy Kids yielded remarkable results at Sojourner Truth Academy:

    • Student engagement: Students are authentically engaged and excited about learning. The interactive and joyful nature of Khan Academy Kids captivated students and helped them feel eager to participate.
    • Teacher satisfaction: Teachers are celebrating student achievements and growth. The platform provided valuable insights into student progress, enabling teachers to recognize and celebrate their students’ accomplishments.
    • Data-driven instruction: Teams are using data to inform instruction and drive student success. The adaptive learning tools provided by Khan Academy Kids allowed educators to make informed decisions that enhanced student outcomes.

    Congratulations, Sojourner Truth team! 

    Sojourner Truth Academy’s successful integration of Khan Academy Kids demonstrates the powerful impact of adaptive learning tools, fostering student engagement and achievement. By leveraging data-driven insights and maintaining a joyful learning environment, the academy has made significant strides toward their academic goals. 

    Khan Academy Kids continues to support educators and students, ensuring that every learner has the opportunity to thrive. Want to join us? Click here to learn more. 

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    Katie Pothireddy

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