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Rigor by Design, Not Chance: Deeper Thinking Through Actionable Instruction and Assessment
A practical and systematic approach to deepening student engagement, promoting a growth mindset, and building a classroom culture that truly supports thinking and learning.
Every student deserves access to deep and rigorous learning. Still, some persistent myths about rigor can get in the way—such as the belief that it means more or harder work for everyone, rather than challenging and advancing students' thinking. So how can teachers get more clarity on rigor and foster more meaningful learning in their classrooms In Rigor by Design, Not Chance , veteran educator Karin Hess offers not only a clear vision of what makes learning deep and rigorous but also a systematic and equitable approach for engaging students of all ages in rich learning tasks. To that end, she outlines five essential teacher moves that foster thinking and 1. A sk a series of probing questions of increasing complexity.
2. B uild schemas in each content area.
3. C onsider ways to strategically scaffold learning.
4. D esign complex tasks that emphasize transfer and evidence-based solutions.
5. E ngage students in metacognition and reflection throughout the learning process. From there, Hess details how to create an "actionable" assessment cycle that will drive learning forward in any classroom.
This book offers a treasure trove of strategies, student "look-for" behaviors, and templates to guide teachers in their work as well as an array of rich performance-based assessments to engage and challenge students. School leaders and instructional coaches can also benefit from the variety of teacher-friendly supports to foster rigorous learning in their schools. Ultimately, Rigor by Design, Not Chance helps educators empower students to take greater ownership of their own learning.
Every student deserves access to deep and rigorous learning. Still, some persistent myths about rigor can get in the way—such as the belief that it means more or harder work for everyone, rather than challenging and advancing students' thinking. So how can teachers get more clarity on rigor and foster more meaningful learning in their classrooms In Rigor by Design, Not Chance , veteran educator Karin Hess offers not only a clear vision of what makes learning deep and rigorous but also a systematic and equitable approach for engaging students of all ages in rich learning tasks. To that end, she outlines five essential teacher moves that foster thinking and 1. A sk a series of probing questions of increasing complexity.
2. B uild schemas in each content area.
3. C onsider ways to strategically scaffold learning.
4. D esign complex tasks that emphasize transfer and evidence-based solutions.
5. E ngage students in metacognition and reflection throughout the learning process. From there, Hess details how to create an "actionable" assessment cycle that will drive learning forward in any classroom.
This book offers a treasure trove of strategies, student "look-for" behaviors, and templates to guide teachers in their work as well as an array of rich performance-based assessments to engage and challenge students. School leaders and instructional coaches can also benefit from the variety of teacher-friendly supports to foster rigorous learning in their schools. Ultimately, Rigor by Design, Not Chance helps educators empower students to take greater ownership of their own learning.
208 pages, Paperback
Published January 18, 2023
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 26, 2025
This book feels like yet another retread of differentiated instruction and the push for challenging curriculum. If you haven’t already taught in an urban public school setting, this book may offer some guidance. More likely, though, your district and colleagues already have more practical, grade-appropriate resources on hand.
If you aren't teaching in an urban area, there are better resources to invigorate your instruction.
This is the newest book LAUSD handed out to its teachers for free. Last year it was a different book; the year before that it was Teach Like A Champion.
For me, it's rephrasing of concepts from before. "Actionable Instruction" sort of leads one to believe there is "inactionable instruction" (which I guess would be bad stuff like rote memorizing and endless essays/research papers).
It’s worth paging through for a new idea here or there (especially if you get it free), but Dr. Hess doesn’t bring anything innovative to the table of pedagogy. Heavy on invented jargon and elaborate processes before you even reach the classroom, she joins the long line of authors who have already crowded the field with acronyms and recycled terminology.
If you aren't teaching in an urban area, there are better resources to invigorate your instruction.
This is the newest book LAUSD handed out to its teachers for free. Last year it was a different book; the year before that it was Teach Like A Champion.
For me, it's rephrasing of concepts from before. "Actionable Instruction" sort of leads one to believe there is "inactionable instruction" (which I guess would be bad stuff like rote memorizing and endless essays/research papers).
It’s worth paging through for a new idea here or there (especially if you get it free), but Dr. Hess doesn’t bring anything innovative to the table of pedagogy. Heavy on invented jargon and elaborate processes before you even reach the classroom, she joins the long line of authors who have already crowded the field with acronyms and recycled terminology.
April 1, 2024
2.5 - didn't love it, but it did have some good suggestions regarding resources and tools.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews