Connecting assessment and instruction: What should “personalized learning” really mean?
Connecting assessment and instruction: What should “personalized learning” really mean?
June 10, 2024
Personalized learning is a hot topic in K‒12 education. Of course, personalization can be viewed as the continuation of a much older dialogue around differentiation, and it’s also closely related to the concept of responsive teaching. As [...]
Comprehensive assessment systems: Finding assessment’s Holy Grail
Comprehensive assessment systems: Finding assessment’s Holy Grail
May 9, 2024
Categories:
Assessment
| Products:
DnA,
FastBridge,
Renaissance Fundamentals,
Star CBM,
Star CBM Lectura,
Star Custom,
Star Math,
Star Phonics,
Star Preschool Literacy,
Star Reading,
Star Spanish
Both history and mythology are filled with memorable quests and searches. Juan Ponce de León sought the Fountain of Youth, Don Quixote strove to live a chivalrous life, Captain Ahab pursued the white whale, and numerous explorers have sought [...]
The making of fluent readers: Using the Fluency Development Lesson
The making of fluent readers: Using the Fluency Development Lesson
April 15, 2024
Categories:
Reading
Every educator has heard the phrase “Practice makes perfect.” But as Vince Lombardi famously said, “Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect.” So, what is “perfect” practice? Reading practice is perfect when it [...]
Why some Spanish assessments aren’t what they appear
Why some Spanish assessments aren’t what they appear
March 20, 2024
Categories:
Assessment
You’re probably familiar with the idiom “The emperor has no clothes,” which comes from a folktale popularized by Hans Christian Andersen. This idiom refers to logical fallacies, meaning things that are widely accepted as true and praiseworthy but [...]
Assessment buyer beware: Is your assessment a “black box”?
Assessment buyer beware: Is your assessment a “black box”?
February 21, 2024
Categories:
Assessment
A regular part of my job involves responding to questions from educators about our Renaissance assessment suite. Often, these questions involve other products in the market. How are Renaissance’s assessments alike or different? How do they compare in terms [...]
How to use MTSS in preschool to improve learning outcomes
How to use MTSS in preschool to improve learning outcomes
February 2, 2024
In a recent blog, we explained how preschool assessment can support great reading outcomes in elementary school. We focused especially on how to help teachers identify children who might benefit from additional support in language and early literacy, [...]
3 takeaways to enhance the power of practice for literacy
3 takeaways to enhance the power of practice for literacy
January 24, 2024
When you think of an expert—whether it’s a musician, an athlete, or a chef—the common denominator for their success is most certainly the amount of practice they put in. When it comes to reading, the same holds true: Students [...]
In K–12 assessment, one size clearly does not fit all
In K–12 assessment, one size clearly does not fit all
January 8, 2024
Is your assessment truly aligned with your state’s academic standards for reading and math? The answer may surprise you.
Using AI responsibly to support teaching and learning
Using AI responsibly to support teaching and learning
December 1, 2023
In October, the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) released its Principles for the Future of AI in Education at a special event held at the US Capitol. These seven principles stress the responsible [...]
Why more isn’t always better in K–12 assessment
Why more isn’t always better in K–12 assessment
November 3, 2023
You’ve probably heard the old adage: If some is good, then more must be better. The irony is that this statement rarely holds true. Even with things that are good, we eventually reach the point where we have enough [...]
