Rise
by McGraw Hill
This app has not yet been evaluated against our instructional invariants. The analysis below is based on independent research.
The Bottom Line
Partially. Rise offers structured, adaptive practice for K-8 math and reading, but The Learning Standard has not yet formally evaluated its long-term efficacy. The platform utilizes algorithmic adjustment to provide immediate scaffolding when students struggle, which aligns well with established principles of formative assessment and mastery learning, though independent outcome data remains pending.
Pros
- Adapts difficulty dynamically based on real-time student performance to prevent frustration.
- Provides immediate, scaffolded support rather than simply marking answers incorrect.
- Breaks grade-level objectives into manageable mini-cycles to reduce cognitive overload.
- Generates continuous formative assessment data to pinpoint specific skill gaps.
Cons
- Relies heavily on multiple-choice mechanics which may not capture deeper conceptual understanding.
- Lacks opportunities for open-ended or project-based learning.
- Independent efficacy data confirming its impact on actual learning loss is not yet available.
Does Rise Actually Teach?
Rise is a supplemental practice tool for K-8 math and reading that shows promise for addressing skill gaps, but it has not yet been formally evaluated by The Learning Standard. Your child will experience a personalized progression of questions designed to test grade-level objectives. When they answer incorrectly, the system automatically intervenes. Instead of just failing your child and moving on, Rise provides scaffolded supports—breaking down the problem into smaller, more manageable steps. This mimics the scaffolding a teacher would provide and is a strong application of learning science. However, because this is primarily a drill-and-practice platform, it is best used alongside formal classroom instruction rather than as a replacement for it. The program tracks every response to build a detailed profile of what your child knows and what they need to review. This data is highly useful for identifying specific learning loss. While the adaptive technology is robust, parents should remember that algorithmic learning requires active monitoring to ensure kids aren't just clicking through to finish.
How Does Rise Help Students Learn?
Rise utilizes an adaptive, mastery-based progression model that adjusts question difficulty based on continuous formative assessment. Students log in and begin working through mini-cycles of questions tied to specific K-8 Math and English Language Arts standards. The core mechanic is algorithmic adaptation. If your child answers a question correctly, the system records that mastery data and advances them to more complex concepts. If they answer incorrectly, the learning pathway shifts immediately. Rise intercepts the failure by providing scaffolded supports—breaking the concept down, offering hints, or presenting prerequisite skills required to solve the original problem. This creates a personalized learning loop. The platform continuously harvests data from these interactions, mapping your child's proficiency against grade-level expectations. This allows educators and parents to see exactly where learning loss has occurred and how the software is attempting to remediate those gaps.
Where Does Rise Excel and Fall Short?
Rise's biggest strength is its real-time scaffolding for incorrect answers, while its biggest weakness is an over-reliance on standard question formats that may not assess deep conceptual mastery. From a learning science perspective, Rise excels in formative assessment. By breaking objectives into mini-cycles, it minimizes cognitive overload and uses retrieval practice effectively. The platform's adaptive engine is its standout feature; instead of punitive grading, it offers immediate, targeted interventions. This scaffolded feedback is critical for keeping struggling students engaged and preventing the frustration that often accompanies learning loss. However, the platform has limitations. Because it relies heavily on standardized, closed-ended questions, it may struggle to evaluate a student's critical thinking or problem-solving rationale. Over-reliance on drill-and-practice mechanics can lead to superficial learning if not paired with deeper, teacher-led instruction. Furthermore, while the platform generates excellent data, the ultimate effectiveness of these insights depends entirely on how teachers and parents use them to inform offline instruction. The Learning Standard has not yet formally evaluated Rise's long-term outcomes.
Is Rise Right for Your Child?
Rise is best for K-8 students who have specific skill gaps and need targeted, adaptive practice alongside their core curriculum. This platform is highly useful for parents and educators trying to remediate learning loss in mathematics and reading. Because the software adapts to the user, it works well for children who easily become frustrated by materials that are too difficult, as well as those who get bored when work is too easy. It is strictly a supplemental tool, making it ideal for after-school practice, summer bridge learning, or as an intervention resource within a traditional classroom setting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rise
Is Rise free?
Rise is not typically free for individual consumers. It is primarily sold as a supplemental curriculum solution to school districts and educational institutions. Parents should check with their child's school to see if they have access.
Is Rise good for elementary and middle schoolers?
Yes, Rise is specifically designed for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. The interface and reading levels scale appropriately across this age range, providing age-appropriate scaffolding for both foundational phonics in early grades and complex math in middle school.
What does Rise teach?
Rise provides instruction and adaptive practice for K-8 Math and English Language Arts. It focuses on standard, grade-level objectives, identifying areas of learning loss and remediating specific skill gaps in reading comprehension, grammar, and mathematical computation.
Is Rise safe for kids?
Yes, Rise is a secure, education-focused platform developed by McGraw Hill. It complies with standard student data privacy regulations and does not contain advertisements, social media integration, or inappropriate user-generated content.
How does Rise compare to i-Ready?
Both Rise and i-Ready offer K-8 adaptive assessments and personalized learning paths for Math and ELA. i-Ready currently has a larger footprint and more extensive independent efficacy research. Rise distinguishes itself through its specific focus on rapid mini-cycles and immediate scaffolding for incorrect answers.
Has The Learning Standard evaluated Rise?
Rise is currently pending evaluation. We have not yet rated this app against our learning science standards. For more information on how we review educational technology, please visit our [methodology](/methodology) page.
Data Transparency
14 of 35 checks passed
Evaluated April 2026
View privacy policy →View all 35 checks
Parent Access3/8
Does the policy mention parents specifically?
“Privacy Information for Parents Protecting privacy and maintaining the trust... and their parents”
Can parents view their child's data?
“Policy states parents can make requests via the school, but does not explicitly state they can view.”
Can parents modify their child's data?
“Policy does not explicitly state that parents can modify their child's data.”
Can parents delete their child's account?
“we ask that you or your parent make any request to delete your information directly to your school.”
Is there a dedicated Children's Privacy section?
“Privacy information for users... including those under the age of 13, can be found under the appropriate tabs”
Does it reference COPPA compliance?
“COPPA is not explicitly referenced in the provided text.”
Does it reference FERPA compliance?
“FERPA is not explicitly referenced in the provided text.”
Is parental consent required for child accounts?
“Requires institutional consent ("Your educational institution is responsible for obtaining your consent").”
Data Portability2/5
Can users access their personal data?
“You have the rights to access, export, be informed about, rectify... and erase your PII.”
Can users download/export their data?
“Data portability: You may request that we export your PII from our systems”
Is there a self-service data access tool?
“Requires submitting a Data Request Form or contacting the institution; no self-service tool is mentioned.”
Is a specific data format mentioned for export?
“States 'readily accessible file type' but no specific format (e.g., CSV, JSON) is named.”
Is there an API for data access?
“API access for user data access or export is not mentioned.”
Data Minimization2/6
Is data collection itemized?
“categories: Name, initials or white page information... Payment card industry data... Contests”
Can the app be used without a real name?
“Silent on using the app with a fake name or pseudonym.”
Can the app be used without an email?
“Silent on using the app without providing an email address.”
Does it state collection is limited to what is necessary?
“we limit the use, collection, and disclosure of your PII to deliver the service or information”
Is IP address anonymized or truncated?
“Mentions collecting IP address but does not state it is anonymized or truncated.”
Is location tracking explicitly excluded?
“Location tracking is not explicitly excluded.”
Third-Party Protection4/7
Does it explicitly state no selling of data?
“We will not sell end user PII or use information from educational records for marketing purposes.”
Are third-party providers named?
“Third party cookies we use include: AddThis Adobe Test & Target Baidu DoubleClick Eloqua Google”
Are providers contractually restricted?
“we will require that such third parties follow the same privacy and security practices”
No-targeted-advertising commitment?
“The policy states that targeted advertising is used for customers on commercial websites.”
Is AI/ML data sharing addressed?
“AI or machine learning data sharing is not addressed.”
Child-specific sharing restriction?
“Restrictions on data sharing apply broadly to all end users, not specifically restricted to children.”
Cookies/tracking limited or opt-out?
“If you wish to opt out of the use of data collected on our site to send you targeted advertising”
Deletion & Retention1/5
Can users delete their account?
“Erasure: You may request erasure of PII... if you request the deletion of your account”
Self-service deletion mechanism?
“Requires a Data Request Form or contacting the institution for deletion.”
Specific data retention timeline?
“States data is retained for the minimum amount of time necessary, but gives no specific timeline.”
Auto-deletion of inactive accounts?
“Auto-deletion of inactive accounts is not mentioned.”
Post-deletion handling described?
“Post-deletion handling of data or backups is not explicitly described.”
Advertising2/4
Advertising model explicitly disclosed?
“Third parties also collect information automatically... to send you targeted advertising”
Free from third-party advertisements?
“Policy lists third-party cookies used for targeted advertising, such as DoubleClick.”
Children excluded from ad targeting?
“We will not sell end user PII or use information from educational records for marketing purposes.”
Ad-free option available?
“An ad-free option is not mentioned.”
What This Means
This app does not provide adequate data transparency for parents. This may mean you cannot easily access your child's data, understand what information is collected, or request deletion of personal information. We recommend considering alternatives that provide better data transparency, or using our template letters to request your data rights be honored.
About this evaluation: Based on automated analysis of Rise's privacy policy using the Common Sense Privacy Program framework. Evaluation covers 35 binary checks across 6 dimensions. Privacy policies can change — this evaluation reflects the most recent version we analyzed.
Screenshots
Take Action
For Rise
If you represent McGraw Hill and believe this evaluation is inaccurate or outdated, we welcome the opportunity to re-evaluate your product.
Request Re-evaluationDetails
- Grade Levels
- Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade
- Website
- Visit site