AIMSweb

National Review Committee Honors Early Literacy, Reading and Math Progress Monitoring Tool

Bloomington, MN (PRWEB) June 22, 2009 -- The Assessment and Information group of Pearson today announced the National Center on Response to Intervention (NCRTI) gave AIMSweb, the company's web-based assessment and data management system suited for response to intervention (RTI) implementation, the highest possible rating for predicative validity and reliability.

"NCRTI's independent rating is another proof point that AIMSweb is a leading RTI tool, providing effective, valid and reliable assessments in early literacy, reading and math that can positively impact student achievement," said Carol Watson, president and general manager, Clinical Assessment North America. "AIMSweb has now been honored twice by this leading RTI standard-setting organization, ensuring educators can trust our single, rigorous solution to measure their student progress in both reading and math."

NCRTI's Technical Review Committee evaluated ten progress monitoring tools for grades kindergarten through eight as a part of the organization's first annual review of Progress Monitoring Tools, creating an interactive chart that shows the technical adequacy of each reviewed tool. The chart also includes information about how to obtain, access and implement the progress monitoring tools.

NCRTI defines progress monitoring as "repeated measurement of academic performance to inform instruction of individual students in general and special education in grades K-8." The monitoring needs to be conducted at least monthly to estimate student improvement, identify students not adequately progressing, and compare the efficacy of different forms of instruction, according to NCRTI.

As a progress monitoring system, Pearson's AIMSweb uses direct, frequent and continuous student assessment to identify students at risk for falling short of year-end academic targets; measure student progress in an accurate and timely manner; and access, interpret and manage this data for teachers, parents, students and administrators.

"For school districts leery of a pieced-together RTI assessment program, AIMSweb provides a complete, easy and proven system to match instruction to need, meaningfully measuring progress. Our system is a step above the rest because it expands - not drains - teachers' time to focus on student success by offering quick, reliable assessments that yield immediate, onsite reports," added Watson.

NCRTI established its standard process to evaluate the scientific rigor of commercially available tools and interventions as a part of its mission to provide technical assistance to states and districts and to build the capacity of states to assist districts in implementing proven models for RTI and early intervening services. The review process requires three Technical Review Committees of national experts to evaluate each product against evidence standards. Once tools are found to meet NCRTI's standards, information on the tools is disseminated through the Center's technical assistance activities and websites.

For more information about AIMSweb, visit www.aimsweb.com or contact the AIMSweb sales and general information team at 888-313-6194, option 2.

About Pearson
Pearson (NYSE:PSO), the global leader in education and education technology, provides innovative print and digital education materials for preK through college, student information systems and learning management systems, teacher professional development, career certification programs, and testing and assessment products that set the standard for the industry. Pearson's other primary businesses include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group. For more information about the Clinical Assessment group of Pearson, visit http://www.pearsonassess.com/.