In December we took a deep dive into Performance Area 1: Learning Environment. Click here to read that deep dive newsletter. In January, we took a close look at Performance Area 2: Engagement in Learning; you can find that newsletter here. This month we go deep on the final Performance Area 3: Maximizing Learning.
A strong learning environment (Performance Area 1) and engagement in learning (Performance Area 2) are not enough. Performance Area 3 (Maximizing Learning) focuses on the extent to which all students retain and apply their learning. Whether or not students learn is demonstrated through rigorous assignments that are aligned to the objective; matched to students’ individual needs; and are relevant and require application of the content students are learning.
Students also demonstrate learning through questioning and classroom discussion. Students respond to questions that are aligned to the objective and matched to their individual needs. Students not only have adequate time to answer questions, but support their own answers through evidence and explanation. Students demonstrate their learning not just by responding to questions from the teacher, but also by responding to questions from their peers and engaging in discussions with their classmates.
Lastly, students demonstrate their learning through the use of academic language and vocabulary. Students are explicitly taught and required to know academic language and vocabulary related to the discipline at hand, and they use that vocabulary in both assignments and in class discussions.
Creating rigorous assignments, planning for high-quality questions and class discussions, and teaching academic language and vocabulary requires that the teacher not only have knowledge of the content and pedagogy as described in Performance Area 2. It also requires the teacher to intentionally plan for the use of assignments, discussion, and vocabulary both in the delivery of the content, and as tools to assess whether or not students have mastered the objectives. Teachers use student performance on assessments and in discussions to make decisions about their instructional delivery, including when to reteach and when to move forward.
There are three Indicators in Performance Area 3; the Indicators and Descriptors are in the table below. These Indicators describe in detail what a classroom where students retain and apply their learning looks like.
