Understanding the Origins and Purpose of i-Ready
i-Ready has become a household name in the world of educational technology. Used in schools across the United States, it is praised by many educators for its ability to deliver personalized learning and assess student progress. But who exactly made i-Ready, and what was the inspiration behind this widely used educational tool?
In this article, we will explore the origins of i-Ready, the company and minds behind its creation, how it works, and its impact on modern education.
The Company Behind i-Ready: Curriculum Associates
A Brief History of Curriculum Associates
i-Ready was developed by Curriculum Associates, a well-established educational publishing company founded in 1969. Originally, Curriculum Associates began as a traditional print publisher offering supplementary educational materials for students and teachers. Over the decades, as technology evolved, the company adapted and shifted toward digital learning solutions.
Curriculum Associates is based in North Billerica, Massachusetts, and has become a key player in the world of educational assessments and instructional resources. Their mission is centered around improving student achievement and supporting teachers with effective tools.
The Creation of i-Ready
i-Ready was launched in 2011 by Curriculum Associates in response to the growing need for technology-driven education that could cater to individual student needs. The platform was designed to provide both diagnostic assessments and personalized instruction for students in kindergarten through eighth grade, though some schools extend its use to other levels.
Its creation was the result of collaborative work between educational researchers, curriculum designers, technologists, and teachers. The aim was to build an engaging platform that could help identify student strengths and weaknesses and offer targeted instruction to address learning gaps.
What is i-Ready?
A Two-Part Learning System
At its core, i-Ready consists of two main components:
- i-Ready Diagnostic – This is an adaptive assessment that identifies what students know and what they need to learn next. It helps educators understand a student’s learning level in reading and mathematics.
- i-Ready Instruction – Based on the diagnostic results, students receive personalized lessons that match their specific needs. These lessons are interactive, engaging, and aligned with state standards.
This combination allows for a tailored educational experience that supports both struggling and advanced students.
The Purpose and Vision Behind i-Ready
Helping Teachers Teach Better
One of the major goals of i-Ready is to empower teachers. Instead of spending countless hours trying to determine where each student is academically, teachers can use i-Ready’s data to make informed instructional decisions. This allows educators to focus more on teaching and less on testing.
Addressing Learning Gaps
With the rise of standardized testing and the emphasis on performance metrics, i-Ready offers a solution that doesn’t just assess but also instructs. Especially post-pandemic, many educators have relied on i-Ready to help bridge learning gaps caused by remote schooling and missed instruction time.
How Does i-Ready Work?
Adaptive Assessment Technology
One of i-Ready’s key innovations is its adaptive diagnostic test. Unlike traditional tests, which present the same set of questions to every student, i-Ready adjusts the difficulty of questions based on a student’s responses. If a student answers a question correctly, the next question becomes harder. If they answer incorrectly, the next question becomes easier.
This approach ensures a more accurate understanding of a student’s capabilities without overwhelming or under-challenging them.
Personalized Learning Paths
After the diagnostic, each student receives a unique learning path tailored to their needs. Lessons are organized into small, manageable chunks and include interactive games, videos, audio support, and real-time feedback. This helps keep students engaged and motivated to learn.
Who Leads Curriculum Associates Today?
Leadership and Visionaries
As of recent reports, Rob Waldron serves as the CEO of Curriculum Associates. Under his leadership, the company has significantly expanded its reach and impact in education. Waldron is known for his focus on equity in education and ensuring that high-quality learning resources are accessible to all students, regardless of their background.
Under Waldron’s guidance, Curriculum Associates has committed itself not only to growth but also to social responsibility. The company has reinvested profits into research and product development, making i-Ready one of the most refined tools on the market.
Criticism and Controversies
Mixed Reception by Students
While many educators praise i-Ready for its data-driven approach, some students find the program frustrating or boring. The platform’s gamified elements don’t always appeal to older students, and the lessons can sometimes feel repetitive.
Concerns Over Screen Time
There are also concerns from parents and experts about the amount of screen time students are exposed to, especially when using digital platforms like i-Ready daily. Balancing digital instruction with traditional classroom methods remains a key challenge.
i-Ready’s Impact on Education
Widespread Use
Today, i-Ready is used in over 50% of U.S. school districts, serving millions of students. Its effectiveness has been backed by multiple research studies, showing that students who use i-Ready regularly tend to show measurable improvement in math and reading scores.
Support During the COVID-19 Pandemic
During school closures, i-Ready became a vital tool for remote learning. Its online nature allowed schools to continue assessing and instructing students from a distance, making it an essential part of many districts’ digital learning strategies.
FAQs About i-Ready
1. Who created i-Ready?
i-Ready was created by Curriculum Associates, an educational publishing company founded in 1969. The platform was launched in 2011.
2. What does i-Ready do?
i-Ready provides adaptive diagnostics and personalized instruction in reading and math for students in grades K–8. It helps teachers understand student performance and tailor lessons accordingly.
3. Is i-Ready free for students?
i-Ready is not free for individual users. It is typically purchased by school districts and provided to students as part of their curriculum.
4. Can parents access i-Ready?
Yes, parents can view their child’s progress through a Parent Portal or by receiving progress reports from teachers. However, they don’t have full access to the instructional modules unless provided by the school.
5. Why do some students dislike i-Ready?
Some students feel that i-Ready lessons are repetitive or not engaging enough. Others may struggle with the format of online learning. However, many students also find the lessons helpful and enjoy the interactive elements.
6. Is i-Ready effective?
Yes, multiple independent studies have shown that students who consistently use i-Ready show significant improvement in reading and math skills compared to those who don’t.
7. Can i-Ready replace teachers?
No, i-Ready is designed to support teachers, not replace them. It provides data and resources that help teachers offer more personalized and effective instruction.
Conclusion
i-Ready was developed by Curriculum Associates with the goal of transforming the way students learn and teachers teach. Since its launch in 2011, it has evolved into a powerful tool for educational assessment and instruction, serving millions of students across the U.S.
While it has its critics, i-Ready remains a cornerstone in many classrooms, particularly for identifying learning gaps and offering tailored support. The platform continues to be refined and updated based on user feedback and educational research, ensuring it remains relevant in a rapidly changing academic landscape.
Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or student, understanding who made i-Ready and why can give you greater appreciation for the role this technology plays in education today.
