i-Ready? Does it actually help?
Do we really need i-Ready? Most students think not, as expected. The question is, who wants more homework? Whether you like it or not we all know that this reading and math program is a district mandated program.
The i-Ready program is said to improve test scores, but does it really do that? According to the “i-Ready diagnostic test paper,” i-Ready is shown to have a strong link to higher test scores. In 2013, the New York State Assessments were one of the first common core-based summative assessments, the test ranged from 77%-85% across grades and subjects. Also, i-Ready predicted an increased proficiency on the assessment for 85% of students. The students who scored the highest out of all of the grades were 7th and 8th graders who used i-Ready in English, above 80% and in math, above 90%.
Robert C., a Technology Coordinator gave the i-Ready program five starts in all categories. (Shown above.)
In a poll taken, students were asked if there was research stating i-Ready improves test score if they would be more likely to do the lessons. They were also asked whether or not they think i-Ready is improving their scores. Only 9 out of 33 students responded saying they found i-Ready improving their scores, the rest said their score was not improving. And another nine said if there was evidence linking i-Ready to higher test scores, they would be more likely to do it.
In math it is taught that correlation does not equal causation, in mathematical terms, correlation is when two sets of data are strongly linked together, we say they have a High Correlation. Causation is the action of causing something. Causation is often confused with correlation, which indicated the extent to which two variables increase or decrease in parallel. However, correlation by itself does not imply causation.
The layout of i-Ready is fairly simple, with a home screen that is customizable for the students. Which then leads to “English”, and “Math”, sections. As shown here.
The i-Ready start menu and home screen. (Shown above.)
Who is i-Ready targeting? The i-Ready program is not a program used in high school, so why is it all of the middle school students? Many students take advanced courses, such as Algebra, Earth Science, Biology. But we are still required to do i-Ready. Another group of students were asked if they believed i-Ready should have further guidelines on who would be tested. Such as students
who have above a certain grade in a said class. The majority response was that the guidelines should definitely be placed.
Although here in HFL we are only required to do 45 minutes per week, most of that time is not spent learning. The tutorial for subjects can take up to an hour with no real learning. Just showing the time that could be useful elsewhere in the lesson. Also, the tutorials do not let the student skip, even if they know the subject.
Countless people feel that if i-Ready was a lot more specific on what was needed to work on. Yes, it already does that in the diagnostic, but it should be worked on a little more. This year, from what was seen, there were numerous instances where people felt they were doing repetitive lessons. But hey, as many teachers and coaches say, “Practice makes perfect!”
As stated earlier, i-Ready is a district mandated program meaning regarding if we like it or not, we have to do it. Regardless, HFL Buzzfeed would love your feedback. What do you think?
Do we really need i-Ready? Most students think not, as expected. The question is, who wants more homework? Whether you like it or not we all know that this reading and math program is a district mandated program.
The i-Ready program is said to improve test scores, but does it really do that? According to the “i-Ready diagnostic test paper,” i-Ready is shown to have a strong link to higher test scores. In 2013, the New York State Assessments were one of the first common core-based summative assessments, the test ranged from 77%-85% across grades and subjects. Also, i-Ready predicted an increased proficiency on the assessment for 85% of students. The students who scored the highest out of all of the grades were 7th and 8th graders who used i-Ready in English, above 80% and in math, above 90%.
Robert C., a Technology Coordinator gave the i-Ready program five starts in all categories. (Shown above.)
In a poll taken, students were asked if there was research stating i-Ready improves test score if they would be more likely to do the lessons. They were also asked whether or not they think i-Ready is improving their scores. Only 9 out of 33 students responded saying they found i-Ready improving their scores, the rest said their score was not improving. And another nine said if there was evidence linking i-Ready to higher test scores, they would be more likely to do it.
In math it is taught that correlation does not equal causation, in mathematical terms, correlation is when two sets of data are strongly linked together, we say they have a High Correlation. Causation is the action of causing something. Causation is often confused with correlation, which indicated the extent to which two variables increase or decrease in parallel. However, correlation by itself does not imply causation.
The layout of i-Ready is fairly simple, with a home screen that is customizable for the students. Which then leads to “English”, and “Math”, sections. As shown here.
The i-Ready start menu and home screen. (Shown above.)
Who is i-Ready targeting? The i-Ready program is not a program used in high school, so why is it all of the middle school students? Many students take advanced courses, such as Algebra, Earth Science, Biology. But we are still required to do i-Ready. Another group of students were asked if they believed i-Ready should have further guidelines on who would be tested. Such as students
who have above a certain grade in a said class. The majority response was that the guidelines should definitely be placed.
Although here in HFL we are only required to do 45 minutes per week, most of that time is not spent learning. The tutorial for subjects can take up to an hour with no real learning. Just showing the time that could be useful elsewhere in the lesson. Also, the tutorials do not let the student skip, even if they know the subject.
Countless people feel that if i-Ready was a lot more specific on what was needed to work on. Yes, it already does that in the diagnostic, but it should be worked on a little more. This year, from what was seen, there were numerous instances where people felt they were doing repetitive lessons. But hey, as many teachers and coaches say, “Practice makes perfect!”
As stated earlier, i-Ready is a district mandated program meaning regarding if we like it or not, we have to do it. Regardless, HFL Buzzfeed would love your feedback. What do you think?