Glossary of Terms

• Content Standards - are descriptions of concepts or skills. They define the knowledge, skills and essential understandings students should be able to demonstrate within a course. Teachers have developed content standards from state and national standards in each content area. Each content area has between 3-5 content standards.
• HOWLs- HOWLS stands for "Habits of Work and Learning." These are performance and character traits required of students to be academically successful in high school, college and career. Examples of HOWLs include but are not limited to homework completion, cooperation, participation, attendance, and goal setting.
• Performance Indicators - are the skills students should know and be able to do within each content standard. These are the building blocks of each standard.
• Scoring Criteria - describe in clear and precise terms the characteristics of each level of achievement on Performance Indicators. Scoring criteria outline what students need to know and need to be able to do as they work towards proficiency. Scoring criteria help teachers consistently evaluate work products and evidence. Students will be provided with consistent feedback on a predictable set of expectations to help them learn and grow.
• Transferable Skills- are skills and abilities that are relevant and helpful across different content areas and areas of life. Our transferable skills focus on communication, self direction, problem solving and citizenship.

What is Proficiency Based Learning? Includes PBL Glossary