
Did your students meet the target? What is your evidence?
How do your students know if they met the target?
The answer to the first question often is, “I think they did and I’ll know when I score their work.”
The answer to the second question is almost always, “They know they met it if they score 80% or better on their assignment or assessment.” OR “They know when I tell them.”
I’ve been trying to dig a little deeper on that second question and have asked some of you how your students would know if you weren’t there to tell them. How would they know when they walked out of your classroom at the end of the class period without a score or feedback from you?
That takes us to Success Criteria. What is Success Criteria? How is it connected to my learning goal?
A learning goal is the specific curriculum expectation (from the Kentucky Academic Standards or other standards for your subject matter) re-phrased in student friendly language. One cannot assume that students understand this goal because you wrote it in student friendly language. Displaying the goal on the board and/or stating it aloud to the class are not enough. Ask a few students to tell the class what it means. Correct any misconceptions.
Tips for Using Learning Goals Effectively:
-Start small
-Separate the learning goal from the activity instructions (WALT=We Are Learning To…)
-Tell pupils why they are learning it (TMB=This Matters Because)
-Use child-friendly language
-Ensure that students understand the language used
-Make it visible in the classroom—ensure that it is displayed throughout the learning
-Allow time for discussion of the goal with students
Success criteria are specific, concrete, measurable statements that describe what success looks like when the learning goal is reached. Students should be able to compare their work to these statements and know if they have met the goal/target for the lesson.
Effective Success Criteria…
-Are linked to the learning goal
-Are specific to an activity
-Are discussed and agreed upon with students prior to undertaking the activity (WALF—We Are Looking For…)
-Provide a scaffold and focus for students while engaged in the activity
-Are used as the basis for feedback and peer/self-assessment
Why are Success Criteria Important?
-Improve understanding
-Empower students
-Encourage independent learning
-Enable accurate feedback
-Enable students to be accountable for their learning
Benefits of clear Learning Goals & Success Criteria:
-Success can be achieved by all students
-Students are able to discuss their work with others
-Empowers students to become more independent learners
-Sharing learning goals and success criteria at the beginning of the lesson results in teachers and students working toward a common goal
Examples: (There is a Success Criteria board on my Pinterest for more Anchor Charts)