In many Western states and in particular Montana and Idaho, the Pulaski is well known as a valuable and highly versatile tool in fighting forest fires and constructing trails in rugged terrain. The device invented by and named after legendary forest ranger Ed Pulaski, is known for its adaptability and has been an invaluable resource to firefighters, climbers, campers and others who enjoy the wilderness.
Just as the Pulaski is appreciated for its versatility EdReady, a personalized mathematics intervention tool developed by The NROC Project, is proving its versatility to students and adult learners throughout Montana. It is an easy to access online assessment and personalized academic intervention tool which allows each student to receive assistance designed to meet their unique individual learning needs and goals in mathematics and in the near future in English as well.
In February of 2014 the Montana Digital Academy, with generous support from the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, launched EdReady Montana a project designed to field test and roll out the tool to students and adult learners throughout the state. Over the past twenty -nine months the math assessment and remediation tool has continued to show remarkable versatility in a growing number of academic situations. EdReady was originally developed by NROC with the target of preparing students to score well enough on their college math placement test to avoid taking a developmental math course. Beginning in early 2014 MTDA, following a successful pilot with incoming freshman students at the University of Montana, started to present EdReady to the wide spectrum of educators across Montana ranging from higher education institutions, secondary schools and adult learning centers. Each presentation started with the question “When it comes to math what do you want your students to be ready for?” As the educators at the various levels began to answer that question, with the MTDA assisting them in developing the local versions or goals for their students, the use cases started to rapidly increase.
EdReady Usage Across Montana
EdReady Montana High School Usage
High schools identified student needs ranging from pre-algebra through algebra 2 readiness to college math readiness and ACT prep.
EdReady Montana Middle School Usage
At the middle school level the range of usage wasn’t quite as diverse as high school use but schools used it to assess their students’ readiness for high school courses like pre-algebra and algebra. At each grade level teachers assessed their students’ readiness for the math concepts at the next level including as far down as fifth graders preparing for sixth grade math.
EdReady Montana Higher Education Usage
Higher Education continues to use EdReady to better prepare students for placement tests, but there is a growing use as a co-requisite tool in college level math classes.
