Heatmap Interpretation

The ILS heatmap is a visual summary of student mastery across outcomes.

What the heatmap shows

• Rows represent outcomes.
• Columns represent students, classes, or cohorts.
• Each cell shows the mastery score for a student/outcome pair.

Color and scoring

• Cells are colored to indicate performance bands.
• Common bands include low, medium, and high mastery.
• Colors make it easy to spot weak outcomes and struggling students.

How teachers use it

• Identify outcomes with consistently low mastery.
• Spot students who have gaps across multiple outcomes.
• Detect patterns that suggest class-level instructional adjustments.

Best practice

• Use the heatmap together with trend and at-risk signals.
• Look for clusters of low scores rather than reacting to individual cells.
• Compare heatmap rows and columns to identify whether the issue is outcome-specific or student-specific.

Reading the map

• A row with many low cells suggests an outcome that needs instructional attention.
• A column with many low cells suggests a student who may need personalized support.
• Mixed colors across a row can indicate variable mastery for the same outcome.
• Mixed colors down a column can indicate a student who is inconsistent across outcomes.

Next steps from the heatmap

• Use the heatmap to select target outcomes for intervention.
• Open the student progress detail view to inspect snapshot history and evidence.
• Combine heatmap findings with the cockpit and trend data for planning.

Last updated: 2026-07-08