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Model Four:
Rewording standards
Sometimes standards and benchmarks are worded so specifically that the goal
itself is confounded with the means to its attainment. If goals inadvertently
specify means and achievement criteria, inevitably some students will be under
challenged while others will be overchallenged or unable to engage in the learning
task at all.
Here are some hypothetical examples of overly specific benchmarks with suggested
rewording to support multiple pathways towards the goals.
| Original Wording |
Problem
|
Reworded
Standard / Benchmark
|
| S:
Students sharpen the focus and clarify the meaning of their writings through
proper use of grammar and punctuation B: Correct capitalization errors in peer's handwritten drafts. |
Requires that all students be able to see & decipher handwritten materials. | B: Correct capitalization errors in peer's work (allows for work to be on the computer, corrections to be oral) |
| S:
Students distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information in a math
story problem B: Read story problems and underline irrelevant information. |
Requires that all students be able to read story problems and be able to underline | B: Identify irrelevant information in math story problems. (allows for digital text with text to speech) |
| S:
Students demonstrate the relationship between the expression of a gene and
a specific enzyme B: Through an outline, show ways in which fragments of DNA can be analyzed to diagnose human genetic abnormalities |
Requires that all students use a text-based outline to demonstrate their understanding | B: Illustrate ways in which fragments of DNA can be analyzed to diagnose human genetic abnormalities. (allows for use of graphic organizers and other visual tools) |
| S:
Students understand historical chronology and the historical perspective B: Conduct research on famous generals of the Civil War. |
Requires that all students research a specific topic which may not be of interest | B: Conduct research on famous people throughout history. (allows for students to select content of interest to them. |