5.1: Understanding Curriculum Standards and Learning Benchmarks

Section Learning Objectives

• Define curriculum standards and their role in education.
• Explain the significance of learning benchmarks in curriculum design.
• Identify how curriculum standards and benchmarks guide instructional planning.

Before we delve into integrating technology into curriculum, let's take a few moments to discuss some basics of education: curriculum standards and their impact on education, curriculum design, and instructional planning.

What are curriculum standards?

Curriculum standards are guidelines for what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. They outline the major learning goals and academic content in core subject areas like math, science, English language arts, and social studies. Curriculum standards are decided at the state level by each state's Department of Education. So each state sets standards that apply to all public schools in that state. The goal of standards is to ensure students across a state learn the same key knowledge and skills for their grade level and subject area. This promotes consistency and fairness in education across different schools and districts.

For example, a common 4th-grade math curriculum standard is that students can use the four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) to solve word problems involving multi-digit whole numbers. A 9th-grade science standard may be that students understand the structure of atoms, including the nucleus, protons, neutrons, and electrons. An 11th-grade English standard could be that students can analyze an author's perspective and purpose when reading informational texts.

Curriculum standards are broader goals that frame what content teachers should cover. They aim to guide the key knowledge and abilities students need to develop at each grade level. Standards provide a roadmap for teaching major subjects from kindergarten through high school. Following state curriculum standards helps ensure students get a comprehensive education as they advance each year.

Do you know where to find the standards that align with the grade level and topic that you are teaching or that you plan to teach? If not, this would be a great time to take a break and do a bit of research!  Following are a few resources as a place to start:

• Common Core State Standards Initiative: This is a state-led effort coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers(opens in new window) (CCSSO). These standards define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education careers so that they will graduate high school able to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs.
• NAfME Standards: The National Association for Music Education (opens in new window)(NAfME) provides national standards for music education.
• State Standards Here is a link to some state standard resources provided by Education World(opens in new window): 

What are learning benchmarks?

Learning benchmarks break down the broader curriculum standards into smaller, more specific skills and knowledge students need to master. Benchmarks describe incremental steps students should achieve on the path toward meeting a standard by the end of the school year.

For example, common core math standards state students should be able to add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers by 4th grade. Benchmark skills leading to this standard could include:

• 3rd grade: Add and subtract 2-digit numbers without regrouping
• 3rd grade: Understand place value for numbers up to 1000
• 4th grade: Add and subtract 2-digit numbers with regrouping
• 4th grade: Explain how to regroup when adding and subtracting 3-digit numbers

For a 9th grade physics standard about gravity, benchmarks may include:

• Calculate the gravitational force between two objects
• Explain gravitational acceleration on Earth
• Describe how mass affects gravitational force

Benchmarks break learning down into manageable sub-skills. They help teachers assess student progress throughout the year. Students can also track benchmarks to see their own growth in reaching standards. Benchmarks allow teaching and learning to be targeted to develop each key skill building up to the curriculum standard.  

Why are standards and benchmarks useful?

Curriculum standards and benchmarks are an important foundation of education. Here are some key benefits:

• They ensure consistency across schools - Students receive comprehensive education based on the same grade-level goals regardless of their school or district within a state.
• They provide teaching guidance - Standards give teachers an outline of the essential content and skills to cover. Benchmarks help guide instructional planning and lessons.
• They allow parent involvement - Standards help parents understand what children should be learning and where their child is excelling or needs more support.
• They enable student growth - Benchmarks allow students to set goals and reflect on their own learning progress.
• They promote accountability - Standards are used in student assessments and help evaluate the quality of education.

In the next section, we will begin to discuss the importance of aligning the integration of technology into your teaching and learning to the standards.

References

Common Core Standards. (2021) Common Core State Standards Initiative.