Using Achievement Level Descriptors to Ensure Rigor

Event Description

Achievement level descriptors (ALDs) provide clarity about large learning goals. These valuable resources are essential to the development of standards-aligned assessments and instructional activities. Use information from the ALDs to inform teaching and learning actions that support students’ success.

Audience: District Leaders, School Leaders, Teachers

Timeframe: Each session is 2 hours.

Learning Targets:

• Connect the purpose of ALDs to standards, cognitive complexity, instruction, and student performance.
• Analyze ALDs in terms of thinking process (i.e., Bloom’s Taxonomy) and level of understanding (i.e., Webb’s DOK).
• Navigate the Maine Achievement Level Explorer tool.