"Proficiency scales are a powerful tool for clearly articulating what students should know and be able to do. They provide a clear roadmap for instruction, assessment, and feedback."
— Robert J. Marzano
Proficiency scales used to define levels of student understanding and performance for a specific standard. Proficiency scales break down levels of mastery for a skill/standard to help both teachers and students track growth over time and to help teachers adjust instruction as needed. A level 4 demonstrates the student exceeds the standard, a level 3 indicates the student is proficient in the understanding of the standard, a level 2 demonstrates partial understanding of the standard, and a level 1 demonstrates limited understanding of the standard.
Ninth Grade
Tenth Grade
Eleventh Grade
Twelfth Grade
This document includes links to the K–5 proficiency scales developed in collaboration between the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) and facilitators from Marzano Resources. Through this partnership, the teams worked to streamline the number of standards utilizing proficiency scales in order to better support the mastery of the Alabama Course of Study standards. This joint effort aims to help both educators and students develop a deeper understanding of proficiency and the progressive steps toward mastery.