I ran across this blog posting the other day. I am always happy to see others write about the true meaning of rigor. The word rigor is so often viewed as work that is more, or harder, is so much more. As the author of the blog noted, "What really counts is what we expect students to do with the learning that is presented to them. Do we expect them to think about the learning and interact cognitively with the experience? Or do we just expect them to cover lots of content and repeat what someone else has learned."
During my recent chat over at teachers.net, I was asked why not use a different word, like vigor, instead of rigor? I use the word rigor because that is what is commonly used, albeit with different meanings. I am choosing to reclaim the word rigor for teachers. Remember, rigor is creating an environment in which each student is expected to learn at high levels, is supported so he or she can learn at high levels, and each student demonstrates learning at high levels. In other words, rigor is helping each student learn and become more than when they started. Isn't that what teaching is really about?