The Cognitive Science Behind HERU & RTTM
The HERU Platform is grounded in decades of research in cognitive science, reading comprehension theory, and culturally responsive pedagogy.
Each of the 10 RTTM levels maps to specific brain regions and cognitive processes. The hierarchical structure of the RTTM aligns with how cognition builds meaning from text — moving from concrete identification to abstract synthesis and judgment.
RTTM draws from Bloom's Taxonomy and Schema Theory, organizing comprehension skills from lower-order (knowledge, comprehension) to higher-order thinking (evaluation, relevance). This hierarchy ensures students build a strong cognitive foundation before advancing.
The HERU framework honors Afrocentric intellectual traditions by naming and framing cognitive skills within a cultural context. This approach improves student engagement, identity affirmation, and academic achievement for students of African descent.
Each RTTM level activates distinct cognitive skill and time-based cognitive processes, creating a comprehensive map of reading comprehension from knowledge to relevance.
| Level | Skill | Cognitive Indicator | Sample Skill Measured |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Main Idea | Recognition | Identifies the subject and action |
| 2 | Theme | Comprehension | Interprets outcome and description |
| 3 | Cause & Effect | Sequencing | Connects events and outcomes |
| 4 | Compare | Relational Analysis | Finds likeness and balance |
| 5 | Contrast | Differentiation | Identifies distinct traits |
| 6 | Symbols | Abstract Synthesis | Interprets representation |
| 7 | Student Judgment | Evaluation | Aligns reasoning with author's message |
| 8 | Author's Purpose | Intent Analysis | Evaluates motive and impact |
| 9 | Proof | Verification | Demonstrates scholarly integrity |
| 10 | Articulation | Expression | Converts cognition into communication |
Reading Text-Tagging Intelligence Quotient
The R-IQ (Reading Intelligence Quotient) is a proprietary scoring system developed within the RTTM framework. After completing all 10 levels of an assessment passage, students receive an R-IQ score from 0 to 110.
70
Developing
85
Emerging
95
Proficient
105–110
Advanced