Outcomes are statements of what students are expected to know, understand, and be able to do by the end of a grade in a particular area of study. The outcomes provide direction for assessment and evaluation, and for program, unit, and lesson planning.
Critical characteristics of outcomes include the following:
- focus on what students will learn rather than what teachers will teach
- specify the skills and abilities, understandings, and/or attitudes students are expected to demonstrate
- are observable, assessable, and attainable
- are written using action-based verbs and clear professional language (subject-related)
- are developed to be achieved in context so that learning is purposeful and interconnected
- are grade and subject specific
- are supported by indicators which provide the breadth and depth of expectations
- have a developmental flow and connection to other grades, where applicable.
Indicators are representative of what students need to know, understand, and/or be able to do in order to achieve an outcome. Indicators represent the breadth and the depth of learning related to a particular outcome. The list of indicators provided in the curriculum is not an exhaustive list. Teachers may develop additional and/or alternative indicators but those teacher-developed indicators must be reflective of, and consistent with, the breadth and depth that is defined by the given indicators.