About SetPoint
SetPoint is a joint venture of JBHM Education Group, LLC., and Renaissance Learning, Inc. All SetPoint staff and specialists are experienced educators.
The meaning of “SetPoint”
The concept of the “set point” originated in information theory, but it is really a universal factor in many disciplines such as physiology, genetics, communications, and psychology. It refers to a specific target value against which measurements are regularly taken, with a mechanism to provide feedback for immediate correction if the target is not being met. Set-point systems can be as mundane as a thermostat or as sophisticated as a biofeedback loop. But they all drive action to continuously hit targets. In school transformation, SetPoint means establishing precise goals that all participants – including students – understand, and furnishing a learning information system that regularly and efficiently reports on progress so participants know what to do to achieve those goals.
The goal of the SetPoint program is always to accelerate learning – increasing both the level of performance and the rate of improvement. Individually and as a group, objectives are set on first raising achievement measurably above previous levels, then on meeting or beating district or state averages, and reducing or eliminating the percentage of students who are below proficiency. An important aspect of this kind of goal-setting is knowing what to measure. Since measurement is costly, especially in terms of time, one can’t measure everything – so the focus is on a few very significant outcome measures such as reading levels and numbers of math objectives mastered. On the school and district level, objectives are set in terms of aggregate student performance and rubric scoring of staff performance against the Five Essential Practices.
High-performing schools have clear goals, measure against those goals, and have tools to achieve them. Low-performing schools do not. SetPoint is not a theory, but a common-sense plan based on research and proven in practice. It provides clear goals – the “set points” – and the tools to maintain focus on them and attain them.
Accelerated Math, Accelerated Reader, Advanced Technology for Data-Driven Schools, AR, AR BookFinder, Deep Capacity, MathFacts in a Flash, NEO, Renaissance, Renaissance Home Connect, Renaissance Learning, STAR Early Literacy, STAR Math, STAR Reading, The STAR Constellation, are trademarks of Renaissance Learning, Inc., and its subsidiaries, registered, common law, or pending registration in the United States and other countries.
SetPoint and Turning America’s Public Schools Into the Schools of Choice are trademarks jointly owned by Renaissance Learning, Inc. and JBHM Education Group, LLC.
ILeRT is a trademark of JBHM Education Group, LLC.