#USA #Itasca #CogAT #Riverside Insights #Equity Award

Riverside Insights' CogAT Earns Prestigious Award

Riverside Insights' Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) has recently been recognized with the 2024 Excellence in Equity Award, bestowed by the American Consortium for Equity in Education. The award highlights CogAT's significant contributions to fostering equitable educational assessments, particularly for multilingual learners.

Since its inception in 1968, CogAT has established itself as a trusted and comprehensive assessment tool aimed at measuring reasoning abilities and learning potential in students across various backgrounds. Jim Bowler, General Manager of Riverside Insights, emphasized that this recognition reinforces the test's status as the gold standard in cognitive abilities assessment. He stated, "For over 50 years, CogAT has led the way in ensuring all students, regardless of linguistic background, have their learning potential accurately measured. Our comprehensive approach to assessment helps educators understand each student's unique cognitive strengths and learning style, enabling truly personalized instruction that maximizes student success."

The Excellence in Equity award specifically acknowledges CogAT's robust capabilities in providing reliable and accurate data on student performance, irrespective of their language, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. This assessment tool includes universal screening methodologies that assist educators in identifying high-aptitude students while simultaneously informing education strategies for entire populations. This dual approach makes CogAT an invaluable resource for education professionals committed to equity in the classroom.

Key Features of CogAT

CogAT stands out for its commitment to equitable assessment through several innovative features:

• - A comprehensive evaluation of verbal, quantitative, and figural reasoning abilities, all completed within two class periods.
• - Picture-based subtests and Alternate-Verbal administration designed specifically for grades K through 2, which do not necessitate specific language proficiency, ensuring accessibility for younger or less experienced learners.
• - The option to provide test directions in eight languages, including Spanish, Chinese (both Cantonese and Mandarin), Arabic, Somali, Russian, and Vietnamese, enhancing accessibility for diverse populations.
• - Age-specific scoring that delivers detailed local and national comparisons, allowing educators to contextualize performance.
• - The unique Ability Profile™, offering actionable insights for differentiated instruction tailored to individual student needs.
• - Separate test versions for Grades K through 6 and banded levels for Grades 7-12, ensuring that assessment formats are developmentally appropriate.
• - The availability of two equivalent forms for flexible administration and options for retesting, providing educators with the tools necessary for effective assessment over time.

Maia Appleby, the communications and editorial director for the American Consortium for Equity in Education, praised all the award recipients, conveying gratitude for their dedication to supporting educators and students. She stated, "Congratulations to all the deserving winners of the Industry Impact Awards, and a heartfelt thank you for the work you do to support educators and students. It's a joy to announce these winners, highlight their meaningful contributions to education, and it will be just as exciting to see what they do next."

The Industry Impact Awards honor companies, organizations, leaders, and initiatives within the PreK-20 educational ecosystem whose outcomes have significantly advanced educational equity and access for learners, marking a step forward in inclusive education.

To learn more about Riverside Insights and the suite of assessment solutions it offers, interested parties can visit Riverside Insights.

This award further solidifies CogAT's role in transforming educational assessment, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to demonstrate their potential, irrespective of their background. As the landscape of education continues to evolve, tools that promote equity and accessibility will undoubtedly remain at the forefront of effective learning strategies.