Rubric Alignment

Standard I: Curriculum, Planning, and Assessment

Indicator I-A: Curriculum and Planning

• Supports the design of learning experiences that promote critical thinking, inquiry, problem-solving, and student ownership.

• Encourages educators to develop lessons that connect learning objectives to authentic and meaningful tasks.

Indicator I-B: Assessment

• Examines strategies for gathering evidence of authentic student engagement beyond simple participation or compliance.

• Helps educators identify observable indicators of student thinking, reasoning, and understanding.

Standard II: Teaching All Students

Indicator II-A: Instruction

• Focuses on instructional practices that increase student engagement through challenge, relevance, autonomy, and productive struggle.

• Encourages the use of discussion protocols, inquiry-based learning, and student-centered instructional strategies.

Indicator II-B: Learning Environment

• Promotes classroom conditions that foster belonging, psychological safety, and active participation.

• Supports the development of inclusive learning environments where all students feel valued and capable of contributing.

Indicator II-C: Cultural Proficiency

• Encourages educators to design engaging learning experiences that honor diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and student experiences.

Standard III: Family and Community Engagement

Indicator III-A: Engagement

• Highlights the importance of connecting learning to students' lived experiences, interests, and communities to increase relevance and motivation.

Standard IV: Professional Culture

Indicator IV-A: Reflection

• Provides opportunities for educators to analyze and reflect on current instructional practices and engagement strategies.

• Supports continuous improvement through lesson analysis and action planning.

Sample Professional Practice SMART(ER) Goal

SMARTER Goal #1: Increasing Student Ownership and Voice

By June 2027, I will increase authentic student engagement by intentionally incorporating opportunities for student voice, choice, and ownership into my instructional practices. I will implement strategies that allow students to ask questions, make decisions about their learning, engage in meaningful discussions, and demonstrate understanding in multiple ways. I will monitor the impact of these practices through student feedback, classroom observations, lesson artifacts, and reflective analysis, making adjustments throughout the year to ensure all students are actively engaged in the learning process.

SMARTER Goal #2: Designing Learning for Authentic Engagement

By June 2027, I will strengthen my ability to design learning experiences that promote authentic student engagement by incorporating elements of relevance, challenge, collaboration, and purposeful learning into instruction. I will regularly analyze lessons and student responses to determine the extent to which students are thinking critically, participating meaningfully, and taking ownership of their learning. Progress will be measured through lesson revisions, observation feedback, student work samples, and reflective practice, with adjustments made as needed to improve outcomes.

SMARTER Goal #3: Shifting from Compliance to Engagement

By June 2027, I will examine and refine my instructional practices to move beyond compliance-based participation and toward deeper student engagement. Through ongoing reflection, lesson analysis, and the use of engagement-focused instructional strategies, I will create opportunities for students to actively think, problem-solve, collaborate, and contribute to their learning community. Evidence of progress will include observation data, student feedback, classroom artifacts, and documented reflections that demonstrate increased student investment and engagement.

SMARTER Goal #4: Increasing Student Discussion and Academic Discourse

By June 2027, I will improve student engagement by increasing opportunities for meaningful academic discourse and student-to-student interaction. I will intentionally implement discussion structures and collaborative learning experiences that encourage students to explain their thinking, ask questions, provide feedback, and engage with diverse perspectives. Progress toward this goal will be monitored through classroom observations, student participation data, reflection logs, and student feedback, and adjustments will be made based on evidence collected throughout the year.

SMARTER Goal #5: Building Curiosity and Inquiry

By June 2027, I will increase student engagement by incorporating inquiry-based learning opportunities that foster curiosity, exploration, and critical thinking. I will design learning experiences that encourage students to investigate authentic questions, analyze information, solve problems, and make meaningful connections to their lives and the world around them. Success will be measured through student work, observation feedback, lesson artifacts, and reflective practice, with ongoing revisions made to strengthen student engagement and learning outcomes.