If you’ve ever sat through an i-Ready lesson or watched your child work through one, you might have asked yourself, “Who came up with this?” Love it or not, i-Ready is everywhere—in schools, homework routines, and even summer programs. It’s one of the most-used digital learning tools in the U.S.
But who actually made it?
This post takes you behind the scenes of i-Ready. We’ll explore Who Created i-Ready, why it exists, and how it became such a big deal in education. Whether you’re a curious parent, a student, or a teacher, you’re about to learn the full story—told in a simple, engaging way.
Let’s dive in.
What Is i-Ready and Why Is It So Popular?
i-Ready is an online learning program designed to help students improve their skills in reading and math. It’s used by millions of kids across the United States, especially in elementary and middle schools.
What makes i-Ready unique is that it uses adaptive diagnostics. That means the lessons adjust based on how well a student is doing. If a student is doing well, the questions get harder. If they’re struggling, it goes back to basics.
Key Features of i-Ready
- Interactive lessons in math and reading
- Diagnostic assessments that measure skill levels
- Personalized learning paths based on performance
- Real-time progress reports for teachers and parents
i-Ready is not just a tool—it’s a full digital curriculum that aims to help each student grow, step by step.
Who Created i-Ready? Meet Curriculum Associates
Here’s the big answer: i-Ready was created by Curriculum Associates, an educational publishing company based in North Billerica, Massachusetts.
A Brief History of Curriculum Associates
Curriculum Associates (CA) started way back in 1969. That’s over 50 years ago!
Originally, the company focused on workbooks and printed educational materials. But in the early 2000s, they saw how important technology was becoming in classrooms. So, they shifted gears.
By 2011, Curriculum Associates launched i-Ready as a way to bring personalized learning to schools. Their goal? To give teachers a tool that makes it easier to identify each student’s needs—and help those students improve.
The Leadership Behind i-Ready
The CEO who led the charge into digital learning was Rob Waldron. He joined Curriculum Associates in 2008 and helped turn it into a tech-driven company.
Under his leadership, the company focused on three big ideas:
- Supporting teachers, not replacing them
- Using data to drive learning decisions
- Making education more fair and accessible
Rob Waldron is known for putting mission over money. He even moved the company to be an LLC with a charitable mission—meaning the company can’t be sold and all profits go back into improving education.
That’s pretty rare in the business world.
Why Was i-Ready Created? The Problem It Solves
i-Ready wasn’t just created for fun. It was made to solve real problems in schools.
Problem 1: One-Size-Fits-All Learning Doesn’t Work
In most classrooms, students are at different levels. Some are ahead, while others need more support. But traditional teaching often uses the same lesson for everyone. That leaves some students bored and others confused.
i-Ready fixes that by offering customized lessons based on each student’s skill level.
Problem 2: Teachers Need Better Tools
Teachers already have a tough job. Keeping track of every student’s progress, knowing where they need help, and finding the right resources—it’s a lot!
i-Ready gives teachers clear data and resources. That means they can spend more time teaching and less time guessing.
Problem 3: Students Need to Feel Progress
Kids can get discouraged if they don’t see improvement. i-Ready uses a game-like interface, progress bars, and badges to make learning feel like a win.
So the goal was clear: help every student move forward in a way that works for them.
How Does i-Ready Work? A Simple Breakdown
Here’s how i-Ready works, step by step:
Step 1: The Diagnostic Test
At the start of the year, students take a diagnostic test in reading and/or math. It’s not graded like a normal test—it’s used to see what they know and what they don’t.
The questions get harder or easier based on the student’s answers. So no two students have the same test.
Step 2: Personalized Learning Path
After the diagnostic, i-Ready creates a custom path for each student. This includes:
- Lessons they’re ready for
- Skills they need to work on
- Practice activities based on their level
Step 3: Continuous Progress Tracking
As students complete lessons, i-Ready tracks their growth. Teachers can view progress reports and adjust instruction as needed.
Students also get lesson checks and feedback, so they know how they’re doing.
What Makes i-Ready Different from Other Platforms?
There are lots of learning platforms out there. So what makes i-Ready stand out?
1. Built With Teachers in Mind
Some edtech tools try to replace teachers. i-Ready doesn’t do that. It gives teachers data, tools, and content so they can do their jobs better.
2. Research-Based Design
i-Ready lessons are based on scientific research and national learning standards. That means they’re not just fun—they’re effective.
3. Focus on Equity
One of i-Ready’s goals is to level the playing field. It helps schools support students who might not get extra help otherwise.
FAQs – Common Questions About i-Ready
1. Is i-Ready free?
No, i-Ready is not free. Schools or districts have to buy a subscription. However, students don’t pay anything directly.
2. Can parents buy i-Ready for home use?
Not directly. i-Ready is mainly sold to schools and educators. But some schools offer access at home through student accounts.
3. Is i-Ready effective?
Yes. Many studies show that i-Ready helps students grow, especially when it’s used regularly and paired with teacher support.
4. Who writes the i-Ready lessons?
Curriculum Associates has a team of educators, researchers, and curriculum experts who write the lessons. All content is based on learning standards.
5. Can students skip lessons?
Not usually. Lessons are part of a path made just for them. However, teachers can assign or skip lessons based on student needs.
Conclusion: Now You Know Who Created i-Ready—and Why
So, who created i-Ready?
It was developed by Curriculum Associates, a company that’s been working in education for over 50 years. Led by CEO Rob Waldron, they created i-Ready to support teachers and personalize learning for every student.
i-Ready isn’t perfect—and it’s not supposed to replace real teaching. But it’s a powerful tool that helps students improve step by step, at their own pace.
If you’re a parent, teacher, or student trying to understand i-Ready, now you know where it came from, why it exists, and how it works.
Jos Buttler