The+Pinnacle+Suite

**The Pinnacle Suite ** [|The Pinnacle Suite] is a tool that allows districts, schools, and educators’ to effectively track student’s proficiency towards standards. The Pinnacle Suite is a method to creating clear precise educational practices in accordance with the [|No Child Left Behind Act]. Available to schools and teachers for a nominal fee, the Pinnacle Suite is a teacher’s guide to standard-based curriculum, assessments, grading, analytics, professional development and supplemental education.
 * Description **

Using the methodologies of [|Dr. Robert Marzano], the Pinnacle Suite was created and designed by Excelsior team in 2001. Dr. Marzano is an early pioneer in standard-based education and continues to advocate the importance of appropriate teaching and assessing methods. Dr. Marzano continues to work with Excelsior team to refine and expand the use of the Pinnacle Suite in educational practices.
 * History (if relevant) **

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 * The Pinnacle Suite & Dr. Robert Marzano

The Pinnacle Suite is currently the only system of its kind that allows teachers to analyze student grade data authoritatively and accurately. It provides the greatest flexibility. With Pinnacle, teachers can utilize what I believe to be the most sophisticated approach to standards-based record keeping in the industry. -- **Robert J. Marzano**, Educational researcher and pioneer in standards-based methodologies www.marzanoresearch.com

 [|The Pinnacle Suite] is changing how standard-based education is being implemented and assessed within educational field. School districts and teachers are implementing the Pinnacle Suite as a way to share, lend or collaborate curriculums and assessments. The Pinnacle Suite has also become a communication tool that enables parents and students to view, track and be involved in the learning process.
 * Impact on Teaching and Learning **

**Practical Applications**

//**Educators/Schools:**//  //**Parents:** //  //**Students:** //
 * Creates a method of recording vital information (personal information, absents)
 * Allows district, school personnel and other teachers’ immediate access to data and/or information.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Records students’ proficiency towards standard-based goals and benchmarks.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Creates a complete on-line grade book
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Creates a form of communication with parents/guardians.
 * **Allows parents to become involved with their child’s learning.** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Allows parents immediate access of their child’s progress and information.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Allows parents to view each teacher’s gradebook information on their child.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Allows parents the opportunity to email teachers directly.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Shows how the school/teacher is applying standard-based education.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Access to progress and grades.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Access to personal information
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Ability to communicate with teacher
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Ability to track assignments, projects, homework.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">**Examples or Demonstrations**

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Author: E.M. Robins is a Special Education Teacher, mother and current graduate student at the University of Hawaii- Educational Technology program. Ms. Robins was first introduced to the Pinnacle Suite by her son's middle school and uses it as a tool in educating her son.