Element 1

Learning Goals and Scales

"Learning targets [and scales] convey to students the destination for the lesson [and unit], what to learn, how deeply to learn it, and exactly how to demonstrate their new learning.... Without a precise description of where they are headed, too many students are "flying blind."

~ Moss, Brookhart, Long (2011)

Desired Effect:

The teacher provides learning goals and/or targets, both of which are embedded in a performance scale that includes application of knowledge.

Purpose:

  • Students performance increase when learning goals are clear.
  • Monitoring progress through the use of specific scales enables students to self-reflect and take ownership of their learning.
  • Clear goals and scales are helpful for providing specific feedback.
  • Scales allow students to see their progress.
  • Scales highlight the skills and knowledge that relate to the levels of mastery.
  • Scales are a formative assessment of students' learning guiding them toward mastery.
  • Scales help teachers 'chunk' content into appropriate 'bites' students can handle.

Teacher Evidence for Learning Goals and Scales

Student Evidence for Learning Goals and Scales

  • Posted for reference
  • Identifies knowledge and are aligned to state standards
  • References are made to the learning goal and target
  • The scale builds a progression of knowledge
  • Classroom activities relate to the scale
  • Explain the learning goal and target
  • Explain how their current activity relates to the overall goals
  • Understand the levels of performance in the scale
  • Shares artifacts which demonstrate each level

Scale