Learning Progressions

Definition

Learning progressions are descriptive frameworks that outline the stages of development in students' understanding and skills over time within a specific content area. They help educators identify where students are in their learning journey and how to effectively support them as they move toward more complex concepts and skills. Learning progressions are essential for creating coherent curriculum structures that align horizontally and vertically across grade levels.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Learning progressions are often developed based on research about how students learn and what constitutes mastery in various subjects.
2. They provide a roadmap for teachers to design instruction that is both responsive to student needs and aligned with learning goals.
3. Learning progressions can vary by subject area and grade level, highlighting the need for educators to be aware of the specific benchmarks relevant to their curriculum.
4. Using learning progressions, teachers can create differentiated instructional strategies that address the diverse needs of their students at different stages of understanding.
5. Incorporating learning progressions into curriculum design fosters better vertical alignment, ensuring that concepts build on one another as students advance through grades.

Review Questions

• How do learning progressions facilitate effective teaching practices in the classroom?
  • Learning progressions facilitate effective teaching by providing educators with a clear framework for understanding where students currently stand in their learning. This allows teachers to tailor instruction to meet individual needs, ensuring that each student receives appropriate support as they advance through various stages of understanding. By focusing on specific skills and knowledge, educators can create targeted learning experiences that help students build confidence and achieve mastery over time.
• In what ways do learning progressions contribute to horizontal and vertical curriculum alignment?
  • Learning progressions contribute to horizontal alignment by ensuring that similar standards and expectations are upheld across different classrooms or grade levels at the same stage of education. Vertically, they provide a coherent sequence of learning objectives that build upon each other across grades. This alignment ensures that what students learn in one grade prepares them for the next level, promoting a continuous and cohesive learning experience throughout their education.
• Evaluate the implications of using learning progressions on student assessment and feedback mechanisms within the curriculum.
  • The use of learning progressions has significant implications for student assessment and feedback. It enables formative assessments to be more effective by aligning them with specific stages of learning, allowing teachers to provide targeted feedback that is relevant to each student's current level. This feedback can guide students in understanding their strengths and areas for improvement, fostering a growth mindset. Furthermore, it helps educators track student progress over time, making it easier to identify when interventions may be necessary to support struggling learners or challenge those who are excelling.

Related terms

Scaffolding:

A teaching strategy that involves providing temporary support to students as they learn new concepts, gradually removing assistance as they become more proficient.

Curriculum Mapping:

The process of aligning educational standards, assessments, and instructional strategies to ensure coherence and continuity across a curriculum.

Formative Assessment:

Assessment methods used during the learning process to monitor student understanding and inform instructional adjustments.