Illuminate Blog
Follow our latest stories on educators, students and classroom technology
How to Prevent Student Learning Loss During the Summer
One of the biggest challenges teachers and students face when returning to school after summer vacation is the loss of learning during the break. The lack of academic focus can negatively impact…
Setting Up a Data-Driven Culture
I like to think that using data while teaching is like using a GPS while driving. When you’re using a GPS, you enter the final destination. It’s the place you…
Transform Your Classroom with a Culturally Responsive Curriculum
During my travels conducting professional development workshops at conferences and in schools throughout the U.S., one of the main complaints that I hear from teachers and school leaders pertains to…
How Statesboro High Increased Math Proficiency by 84 Percent
Located fifty miles from Savannah, Georgia, Statesboro High School (SHS) serves a diverse student body of approximately 1,500 in Bulloch County. Founded in 1901, SHS strives to be a model…
Introducing Our New Paper-Grading Solution: Lightning Grader
The story of Lightning Grader starts in the classroom. As a seventh- and eighth-grade math teacher, I had a need to get student assessment data quickly to identify student’s strengths…
Test Norms: What Are They and Why Do They Matter?
Written By: John Bielinski, Ph.D. and Rachel Brown, Ph.D., NCSP, The central purpose of a score on any classroom assessment is to convey information about the performance of the student.…
Benchmark Goals for Student Success
By: Rachel Brown, Ph.D., NCSP In order to know if a student is making progress toward specific learning goals, comparison with some type of standard or benchmark of success is…
Building a Blueprint Around Formative Assessment
Imagine being on a sports team that’s competing in the Olympics. You belong to a very select group of individuals who are physically capable of excelling in a sport at…
How to Prepare for Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
As some key states are looking to implement the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), we decided to feature a guest post to cover important changes around science education. The following post is from Dr.…
Illuminate Spotlight: Gary Collins (Victor Elementary School District)
Meet Gary Collins, a Technology Support Specialist at Victor Elementary School District. His role involves dealing with data and administration surrounding state and local assessments, report card administration, and support for…