To scaffold or not to scaffold? The first big misconception about rigor

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To scaffold or not to scaffold? The first big misconception about rigor

October 16, 2014

Categories: Math, Reading

Think back to the last really rigorous and complex task that you worked on. Did you develop and complete it from start to finish all on your own? Or did you perhaps talk with colleagues, look at models, or seek [...]

Learning progressions: Deeper and more enduring than any set of standards

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Learning progressions: Deeper and more enduring than any set of standards

October 2, 2014

Categories: Assessment, Math, Reading

Many of us can remember the advent of standards-based education, but few of us envisioned how politicized educational standards would become. Every day brings a new challenge, founded or not, to the Common Core, and educators in states that have suddenly [...]

Learnalytics^®: The promise of learning analytics

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Learnalytics^®: The promise of learning analytics

September 18, 2014

Categories: Assessment, Math, Reading

This month we’re launching the first phase of Learnalytics®, a website designed to leverage Renaissance’s massive databases and to provide insights into what students know, what they like, and how they learn. We are so pleased [...]

The over-testing dilemma and a vision of efficiency

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The over-testing dilemma and a vision of efficiency

September 11, 2014

Categories: Assessment, Math, Reading | Products: Star 360

Today’s students are the most tested in history. Teachers feel the pain of over-testing more than most, because they directly witness its effects on their students. They see firsthand the stress many students experience when they sit down to a [...]

Classroom-based assessments: a recipe for success in a time of change

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Classroom-based assessments: a recipe for success in a time of change

September 4, 2014

Categories: Assessment,

Lately, I’ve been hosting Thanksgiving at my house. I’ve found that family members frequently request a favorite side dish, want to try a new recipe, or even offer to help out in the kitchen. I’m open to trying something new, [...]

The basics of test score reliability for educators

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The basics of test score reliability for educators

August 21, 2014

Categories: Assessment, Math, Reading

Reliability is a broad topic, broad enough to be thesis worthy. So, when I set out to summarize “all things reliability”—in two pages, no less—I didn’t know where to start. Naturally, I procrastinated. When my problem didn’t magically go away [...]

Toward a culture that values data and protects student privacy

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Toward a culture that values data and protects student privacy

July 31, 2014

Which kids do you worry about? I worry about all the kids, each and every one of them. Why do I ask this question? Because without data, without knowing how well each child is doing, we can’t help them. We [...]

Understanding the reliability and validity of test scores

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Understanding the reliability and validity of test scores

July 10, 2014

Categories: Assessment, Math, Reading

Toward the end of my master’s degree program, I called my parents and excitedly announced that I was entering a doctoral program in psychometrics. A few uncomfortable moments later, my father responded, “That sounds…interesting.” Encouraged, I explained that a big [...]

From possibility to probability

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From possibility to probability

June 19, 2014

Categories: Assessment, Math, Reading

A question that I constantly wonder about is this: What does it look like when teachers are truly making a difference in the lives of each and every one of their students? Improving learning starts with knowing the academic and [...]

The power of close, repeated reading: Why our brains crave a reread

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The power of close, repeated reading: Why our brains crave a reread

June 5, 2014

Categories: Reading | Products: Accelerated Reader

Our brains thrive on repeated experiences. This explains why we seek to watch the same movies again and again and re-read favorite books. According to the health blog, “The Body Odd,” the drive to re-experience is a conscious effort to [...]

Renaissance Blog

Latest Post

To scaffold or not to scaffold? The first big misconception about rigor

To scaffold or not to scaffold? The first big misconception about rigor

Recent Posts

Learning progressions: Deeper and more enduring than any set of standards

Learning progressions: Deeper and more enduring than any set of standards

Learnalytics^®: The promise of learning analytics

Learnalytics^®: The promise of learning analytics

The over-testing dilemma and a vision of efficiency

The over-testing dilemma and a vision of efficiency

Classroom-based assessments: a recipe for success in a time of change

Classroom-based assessments: a recipe for success in a time of change

The basics of test score reliability for educators

The basics of test score reliability for educators

Toward a culture that values data and protects student privacy

Toward a culture that values data and protects student privacy

Understanding the reliability and validity of test scores

Understanding the reliability and validity of test scores

From possibility to probability

From possibility to probability

The power of close, repeated reading: Why our brains crave a reread

The power of close, repeated reading: Why our brains crave a reread

Renaissance Blog

Latest Post

To scaffold or not to scaffold? The first big misconception about rigor

To scaffold or not to scaffold? The first big misconception about rigor

Recent Posts

Learning progressions: Deeper and more enduring than any set of standards

Learning progressions: Deeper and more enduring than any set of standards

Learnalytics®: The promise of learning analytics

Learnalytics®: The promise of learning analytics

The over-testing dilemma and a vision of efficiency

The over-testing dilemma and a vision of efficiency

Classroom-based assessments: a recipe for success in a time of change

Classroom-based assessments: a recipe for success in a time of change

The basics of test score reliability for educators

The basics of test score reliability for educators

Toward a culture that values data and protects student privacy

Toward a culture that values data and protects student privacy

Understanding the reliability and validity of test scores

Understanding the reliability and validity of test scores

From possibility to probability

From possibility to probability

The power of close, repeated reading: Why our brains crave a reread

The power of close, repeated reading: Why our brains crave a reread

Learnalytics^®: The promise of learning analytics

Learnalytics^®: The promise of learning analytics