The Basics

Newsela takes current, real-world content and transforms it into literacy-oriented educational materials. Content is available in 5 reading levels, making it scalable to different learners' needs over time, and enabling access to age-appropriate material no matter a student's literacy level¹.

Content focuses on traditional curricula in English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Sciences, but also includes anti-bias and anti-racism content, LGBTQIA+ studies, and ensures that diverse perspectives are utilized so that students have access to content that is meaningful to themselves and their communities¹.

This is increasingly important during a time when the US is increasing censorship of textbooks and literature in schools across the country⁵. Students are disproportionately losing access to content related to gender, race, and activism. Though the bans primarily affect fiction literature, it’s more important now than ever to ensure that learners are ingesting current, relevant content that can aid them in increasing both traditional and new media literacy skills.

New content is made available daily, ensuring that current events are integrated into the classroom, supplementing conventional texts and materials¹.

Newsela is currently used by over 2 million teachers engaging over 40 million students across 26 countries. The company's reach has grown steadily over the almost 10 years of activity, and now reaches North America, parts of Central and South America, Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia, and China and Australia³. Though the largest customer base is located in the US, and content is limited to English and Spanish, there is a large application for English and Spanish Language Learners, and for remote learners across the globe.

To address access and equity, Newsela makes content and evaluation materials available offline and as downloadable/printable so that resources can be used in areas where high-speed internet is not a reality¹.

The company was founded in 2013 by former teacher Matthew Gross, who felt his son's school had given up on him as he struggled with reading and writing. Gross wanted to make a big impact on education, and created Newsela to shake up the status quo and make sure that learners have access to meaningful content⁶.

Nearly 10 years later, Newsela has a strong leadership team based in New York, New York. The company is led by founder and Chief Executive Officer Matthew Gross, co-founder and Chief Academic Officer Dan Cogan-Drew, and Chief Content Officer Jennifer Coogan. The three have decades of cumulative experience in education, finance, and economics, and through Newsela and other companies have a proven track record of success¹.

The large team driving content development, educator training, customer service, and human resources are equally experienced, and Newsela is constantly recruiting new content creators and engagement specialists to work with schools, districts, and states to enhance and expand programming¹.

Access to Newsela basic content is free. This includes current events articles at 5 reading levels, comprehension quizzes, writing prompts, and annotations, and the ability to create and share some customizable assignments⁷.

Additional resources, such as guides, tailored training programs for educators, evaluation templates, the ability to create customized home pages, and curriculum-aligned reading comprehension quizzes and writing prompts are offered on a quote by quote basis to. There are many options for tailoring Newsela products to educator or district needs, and Newsela team members work closely with customers to design and deliver content packages¹.

According to Tech Crunch, "paid product is between $6 to $14 per student, which contrasts with textbooks that can cost a school $20 to $40 per student “even on an annualized basis.”⁴

Some of the attention Newsela has garnered so far include:

• Hundred 2021: included in a list of 100 inspiring innovations that changed the face of education in 2021.

• Included in Fast Company's list of Most Innovative Company's in Education in 2017 and 2018.

• Honorable mention in Fast Company's World Changing Ideas Awards for their Newsela LGBTQIA+ Studies Collection.

Newsela partners with over 100 publishers to ensure content is relevant, up-to date, and from trusted sources. Partners include: The New York Times, Washington Post, Scientific America, The Guardian, Education Week, and The Economist.

Note: Partnerships are advertised as "trusted," though it is unclear what criteria Newsela uses and if there are political drivers behind these decisions.