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Ohio IIS Resources | FAQs | View Webinars | Gap Analysis Tool
Thinkgate, LLC. has been selected to provide an instructional improvement system (IIS) for schools in Ohio and Massachusetts. Both states’ education agencies agreed to create powerful online learning platforms as part of their federal Race to the Top grants and teamed up to conduct a competitive procurement.
The IIS will enable teachers to accelerate and personalize the education experience by providing the following features:
- Online access to curriculum and standards
- Curriculum customization
- Easy to use paper, online and clicker test administration options that teachers can use to determine what progress students have made and what help they need
- Data analysis and reporting capabilities
- A portfolio of every students’ work
http://youtu.be/qKmfl8OSYMQ
Thinkgate was selected through a competitive bid process and an innovative procurement partnership between the Ohio and Massachusetts education agencies. By pooling purchasing, the states received better prices. Ohio’s split of the development cost is only $138,367. An additional $1.7 million is being spent to implement the IIS in Ohio which includes connecting the IIS to other resources in Ohio.
Under the contract, the Thinkgate IIS will be available to all Race to the Top (RttT) schools funded by ODE using the RttT grant for the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 school years. All schools could then pay a per-student price that will be based upon how many districts ultimately adopt the system. Estimates indicate that the cost will be between $2.75 and $5 per student. Use of the Thinkgate system is voluntary.
As part of Ohio’s system, the Ohio Department of Education will collaborate with the Ohio Board of Regents (OBR) to incorporate iLearnOhio.org, a one-stop home for high quality K-12 content that is aligned with the state’s new learning standards. iLearnOhio is the product of a collaboration of the Ohio Resource Center, The Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology, and OBR.
Integrating iLearnOhio.org into the new system will assist schools in selecting:
- Full-year courses, such as Advanced Placement courses for students who are ahead (state tuition waivers offered) or credit recovery courses for students who must repeat a course.
- Online college courses for students still working on a high school or home school diploma.
- Learning objects to assess a student's learning level to match him/her to appropriate level resources.
- Webinars and other extra help for students needing remedial assistance.
- Reduced costs for fee-based resources thanks to efficiency in state bulk purchasing.
The new IIS is still being developed and tested but will be available to RttT school districts beginning next school year.
Pilot 1 Schools
Bellefontaine City
Hamilton City
Madison-Plains Local
Mississinawa Valley Local
Morgan Local
Oregon City
South Euclid-Lyndhurst City
Toledo City
Union-Scioto Local
Youngstown Community School
For questions on Ohio implementation of the IIS system, please contact Marsha Ward at marsha.ward@education.ohio.gov.
For general information about Thinkgate and the IIS system, please contact Rob Stealey at 877-845-4283, ext. 145 or email rfstealey@thinkgate.net.
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Ohio IIS Resources
Click here to view a list of Thinkgate supported clickers for use with the Ohio IIS. (PDF)
Click here to view Ohio IIS system requirements and technical considerations. (PDF)
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Frequently asked Questions (FAQs)
COMING SOON!
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Ohio IIS Webinars Before proceeding, please review these WebEx System Requirements. Additionally, a WebEx software test can be conducted here.
Ohio IIS – Executive Overview
Suggested Audience: All, geared toward administrators and decision makers
Topics:
- Welcome to the new IIS
- Introduction of the ODE/Thinkgate Partnership
- IIS Demonstration – Executive Overview
- Rollout Timeline
Watch the recorded webinar | Watch on YouTube
Ohio IIS – Assessments and Reporting
Suggested Audience: All, geared toward functional users
Topics:
- Demonstrate the process of creating and administering assessments
- Demonstrate the functionality of the IIS Reporting Engine
Watch the recorded webinar | Watch on YouTube
Ohio IIS – Curriculum, Instruction and Resources
Suggested Audience: All, geared toward functional users
Topics:
- Demonstrate the Curriculum and Instruction tools and integration with learning resources
Watch the recorded webinar | Watch on YouTube
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Gap Analysis Tool
This GAP Analysis spreadsheet provides LEAs with the opportunity to assess how their existing tools compare against the functionality provided through the State's Instructional Improvement System (IIS) provided by Thinkgate, LLC.
Click here to download the Gap Analysis Tool
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