Welcome to the Winter 2026 edition of Sal Khan’s Quarterly Newsletter for District Leaders.
In the fall, we shared a big shift in how Khan Academy is being reimagined, and now that shift is quickly becoming real: In July 2026, we are rolling out significant changes to Khan Academy for daily instruction—building on the proven impact of Khan Academy as a strategic practice platform. These updates pair our trusted content with thoughtfully embedded AI to better support teachers, engage students, and amplify district-wide impact.
In this quarter’s newsletter, we invite you to think with us about how to increase rigor in Math, SAT and ELA, beginning with a webinar we hosted on 2/19/25 with a district in Indiana using AI-embedded mastery learning to push students further.
How do we know when interventions are actually working?
We hosted a live conversation with district leaders from Indiana who are asking this newsletter’s core question: How do we know our interventions are working? Watch recording →
Rigor isn’t about assigning harder work. It’s about helping students engage with the right challenges at the right time, and having clear signals that instruction, intervention, and support are making a real difference. Throughout this edition, you’ll see how districts are using the new platform to improve learning outcomes, help teachers set mastery-based practice once, monitor progress easily, and intervene, while offering students effective, motivating practice that balances grade-level content and learning gaps.
Case Study Webinar: Increasing Rigor in Math and ELA
Webinar: Boost Student Improvement and Rigor Districtwide with AI-Supported Instruction
On February 19th, Hanover Community School Corp (IN) leaders shared how they raised expectations in high school math and ELA without burning out teachers or students — using the reimagined Khan Academy experience to align instruction, practice, and feedback with their MTSS strategy. Watch recording →
District Voices: Reimagined Khan Academy En Vivo
Across the country, districts are using the reimagined Khan Academy experience to raise rigor while keeping students engaged.
- School-wide Culture Supports Test Growth at KIPP Washington Heights (New York): Leveraging motivation tools and goal-setting that helps students persist through challenging math work and invest in their own growth. Read the case study
- Oasis Charter (Florida): See how Oasis Elementary South achieved 100% teacher buy-in and significant math gains using Khan Academy Districts, mastery goals, and data-driven leadership. Read the case study
- Tipp City (Ohio): See how teachers are increasing rigor in writing and math, and seeing measurable gains on state assessments. Read the interview
Kristen’s Corner: Knowing When an Intervention Is Working
By Dr. Kristen DiCerbo, Chief Learning Officer, Khan Academy
Every district invests in interventions. Fewer have clear ways to tell when those interventions are actually helping students learn.
In this quarter’s reflection, Kristen explores:
- What meaningful learning signals look like
- Why “time on tool” isn’t enough
- How assessment, practice, and motivation data work together
- What leaders should watch for when evaluating instructional impact
Before We Go
Share this newsletter with your colleagues! They can sign up at this link.
Thanks for reading!
Warmly,
The Khan Academy Team
