What is Instructional Rigor?

Take a look over at Suite101 for my next piece, and introduction to the concept of instructional rigor and classroom-based examples.

What is true instructional rigor? What are classroom-based strategies that are rigorous?

Instructional rigor has become a controversial topic. Educators disagree about the word itself, citing a dictionary definition of harsh or rigid. A friend of mine points out that if you look it up, the word rigor falls between rigamarole and rigor mortis.  True instructional rigor, however, is centered around student learning. Rigor is "creating an environment in which each student is expected to learn at high levels, each student is supported so he or she can learn at high levels, and each student demonstrates learning at high levels (2008)."

A Rigorous Environment

What would those concepts look like in a classroom? An environment of rigor includes a focus on progress for each student, in addition to meeting a standard of achievement. If your school has an honor roll, consider adding a progress roll, which recognizes the small steps that each student makes in order to reach the larger goal. Success breeds success, so as students make progress, they are encouraged to try for a higher level.

Read more at Suite101: What is Instructional Rigor? | Suite101.com http://barbarablackburn.suite101.com/what-is-instructional-rigor-a404575#ixzz1oqikusNF