Academic rigor refers to a certain standard of excellence that professors and administrators expect of their students. It is a teaching approach that helps children learn to think deeply, make meaning for themselves, and become aware of their own learning process. Academic rigor is generally regarded as three different steps in the educational process:

• Setting the standard for students: This involves establishing the expected level of achievement for students.

• Equipping students through instructional and supportive methods: This step involves providing students with the necessary materials and instructional patterns to achieve the expected level of rigor.

• Student demonstration of achievement: This is the final step, where students demonstrate their achievement of the expected level of rigor.

Academic rigor is not about making things more difficult or piling on the work, but rather about creating an environment in which each student is expected to learn at high levels and is supported so they can achieve those levels. Rigorous assignments encourage students to think critically, creatively, and more flexibly, and to question their assumptions and think deeply, rather than simply utilize memorization and information recall.

Academic rigor is individual to each students needs and is measured in depth of understanding. It is a result, not a cause, and comes from what students do. Rigorous learning environments are stimulating, engaging, and supportive.

Examples of an academically rigorous class setting include students being engaged in the learning process, evidence of critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, oral and written communication, analyzing information, and encouraging creativity, and evidence that students are given multiple ways to demonstrate learning.

In summary, academic rigor is a standard of excellence that professors and administrators expect of their students. It involves setting the standard for students, equipping them through instructional and supportive methods, and student demonstration of achievement. Academic rigor is not about making things more difficult, but rather about creating an environment in which each student is expected to learn at high levels and is supported so they can achieve those levels.