First recorded in the 1800s, y'all has long been a hallmark of Southern speech. Some linguists trace its origins to Scots-Irish settlers and African American Vernacular English, where it emerged as a contraction of "you all." Over time, it spread outside the South, becoming a popular, easy-going way to address a group of people across the U.S."Regional words aren't just fun expressions—they're windows into the history, culture, and identity of the places we call home," said Steve Johnson, Curriculum Design Manager of the Dictionary Media Group at IXL Learning. "Every phrase in this competition tells a story, and y'all winning it all shows how language unites us. It may have Southern roots, but its influence stretches far beyond."The ultimate regional rumbleForget buzzer-beaters and Cinderella stories—this was a battle of words. Dictionary.com's bracket-style competition put 32 beloved regional slang terms in a head-to-head matchup, where voters decided which expressions had the most staying power.From the jump, y'all was a force to be reckoned with. It breezed past toboggan (who wears a beanie in the South anyway?) and longtime rival yonder in the early rounds, securing over 75% of the vote in both matchups

IXL's approval as a K-3 supplemental reading program means that schools can use state funds to invest in the proven literacy solutionDENVER, March 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Colorado just took another step toward making reading a reality for more young learners. The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) has approved IXL as a supplemental K-3 reading program, giving eligible districts access to state funding to purchase IXL Language Arts. Already used by 160,000 Colorado students, IXL's engaging, research-backed platform boosts essential reading skills."Reading opens doors for students, and Colorado is making it a priority to give every child that opportunity," said Paul Mishkin, CEO of IXL Learning. "We're proud to support Colorado schools with a program that meets learners where they are and helps them grow into confident readers."Unlocking literacy, unlocking opportunityReading isn't just a skill—it's the foundation for future success. That's why Colorado has spent over a decade prioritizing early literacy through the READ Act , which ensures that schools provide evidence-based instruction so students can read with ease. With IXL, districts now have a powerful new tool to improve every learner's reading abilities.Building strong readers from the ground upIXL helps students build foundational reading skills step by step : Learners start by recognizing rhymes and syllables, then move on to blending sounds, mastering phonics and strengthening comprehension

IXL is now available in more than 80 languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Haitian Creole, Malayalam, Ukrainian and Vietnamese. Through these translations, IXL allows students to concentrate on mastering essential academic material, even if they are still building their English language abilities, and gives teachers a tool to personalize ELL instruction more effectively. "In a typical U.S. classroom, about one in 10 students is still learning English. We believe every one of them deserves the chance to reach their full potential," said Paul Mishkin, CEO of IXL Learning. "By offering translations in over 80 languages, we are making learning materials more accessible, so that each student can develop the skills needed to advance both in and out of the classroom."