EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH IN ACTION
Providing educators with research-based models for effective instruction and assessment, moving students towards greater engagement and deeper learning.
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See Books by Karin Hess - Sold on Amazon.com


Deeper Competency-Based Learning: Making Equitable, Student-Centered, Sustainable Shifts (Hess, Colby, & Joseph, 2020, Corwin).

A Local Assessment Toolkit to Promote Deeper Learning: Transforming Research Into Practice (Hess, 2018, Corwin).

Kid-Friendly Cognitive Rigor Matrix Poster Set
$12.99 for downloadable digital set of 4 posters
In this 4-poster set, learners can edit the Hess Cognitive Rigor Matrix on their own and challenge themselves to "rock the rigor" while educators can customize and print for their classrooms a complete Hess Cognitive Rigor Matrix of their choosing.

The Rigor by Design Playbook (2022 Updated flip book)
The new 20-page "flip book" is printed on heavy cardstock for long-lasting use. It provides an overview of the development of the Hess CRM, all 8 content-specific Hess CRMs, and illustrates how the roles of students and teachers can shift with appropriate questioning and learning activities that move from surface learning to deeper understanding. Also included:
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7 Common Misconceptions about Rigor
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Unit/Lesson Planning Template with Teacher & Student Roles by DOK level
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Karin's Overview of the Actionable Assessment Cycle
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Updated classroom examples of strategic scaffolding strategies by DOK level
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The S-T-A-R-S Performance Task Design Tool
This is a practical resource for coaches and assessment leaders who want handy access to all 8 Hess Cognitive Rigor Matrices and a guide to classroom “look fors” and support strategies at each DOK level.
Download an order form here.


2 of Karin's Popular Workshops are on Video for Self-Paced PD
(M-1) Thinking Deeply? Or Just Working Harder?
Based on Module 1, A Local Assessment Toolkit
Use this self-facilitated workshop to learn on your own time or to support locally designed workshops for your staff. The PD package includes Karin’s presentation with 2 hours of workshop video with UT educators, her PowerPoint presentation, and a facilitator guide with handouts, suggested “turn & talk” places with discussion points, and supplemental video links to spark collaborative discussions about rigor and deeper learning.
(M-3) Student Work to D-I-E For!
Based on Module 3, A Local Assessment Toolkit
For many years, Karin has used the acronym D-I-E to make the student work analysis process more meaningful: First Describe what you actually see/hear; next Interpret what the student does/does not understand as revealed in the evidence; and finally, Evaluate next steps based on your intended purpose (e.g., examining task quality, developing/refining the rubric, next steps for instruction, etc.). The PD package includes Karin’s presentation with 2 hours of video with VT educators, her PowerPoint presentation, and a facilitator guide with student work samples for analysis practice.