E.G. Ross Elementary School was struggling academically, with only 35% of students proficient in math and 42% in reading. They participated in a technology pilot program using Turning Technologies' Insight 360 classroom response system. The system allowed teachers to assess students and adjust instruction in real-time. After using Insight 360, student test scores increased to 36.6% in reading and 45.7% in math, and the school's grade rose from an F to a D. Teachers also benefited by gaining back instructional time previously spent on assessments.

1. Bridging the Achievement Gap
with Insight 360
Instant Results Provide More Time for
Instruction and Remediation
september 2014
CHALLENGE
Nearly 500 children attend Edmund G. Ross
Elementary School. As a Title I school located in
an economically disadvantaged area of the city,
students and teachers face daily struggles to meet
student-achievement benchmarks and grade-level
targets.
During the 2011-12 academic year, only 35 percent
of the nearly 300 students tested were found
proficient in math and less than half (42 percent)
were proficient in reading. E.G. Ross Elementary
also received an “F” school grade from the New
Mexico Public Education Department. While
the school’s performance fell significantly below
the statewide averages, E.G. Ross Elementary
did earn an “A” rating in the “Opportunity to
Learn” category for its effectiveness to foster an
environment that facilitates learning. The next step
was to figure out a way to use this positive finding
to drive student achievement and performance.
SOLUTION
E.G. Ross Elementary participated in a technology
pilot program using Turning Technologies’ Insight
360 during the 2012-13 school year. The mobile
classroom instruction system was implemented
in three classes – kindergarten, second-grade,
and fifth grade. Prior to using Insight 360, data
collected was often random and generated from
an outside source.
Now, teachers are able to teach and assess
student progress from anywhere in the classroom.
“Additionally, teachers have more time to
teach, identify students needing support, and
immediately adjust their instructional strategies”
said Instructional Coach Carmen Trujillo. With the
Insight 360 Student app, students can interact
with content and respond to all question types
using an iPad creating a more collaborative
learning environment.
CONCLUSION
In just a few short months, E.G. Ross Elementary
began to see a significant improvement in student
test scores. Reading and math percentages
increased to 36.6 percent and 45.7 percent
respectively, and the state raised the schools’
letter grade to a “D.” It’s not just the students
who are enjoying the benefits of Insight 360, as
teachers also are continuing to grow and improve
professionally with support from technology
coaches and their peers. Kindergarten teacher
John Keelin found that Insight 360 gave him back
time to teach. Assessments that used to take
hours to complete were done in minutes. “The
data is instantly available on my iPad allowing me
to teach in the moment – something I have never
been able to do in my 11 years of teaching.” E.G.
Ross Elementary recognizes it has a tough road
ahead. But, with the right teachers, technology,
and support, its students will benefit by developing
the skills and critical thinking abilities needed to
succeed in the future.
Edmund G. Ross Elementary School is a part of Albuquerque Public Schools
in Albuquerque, New Mexico.