Start Small: Try Step 1 of Student Success Pedagogy

12

When it comes to implementing new teaching strategies, starting small can make all the difference. In Student Success Pedagogy, the first step—setting clear learning goals and success criteria—lays the foundation for student growth and success. When students know what’s expected of them, they become more focused, confident, and motivated to achieve their learning targets.

In today’s blog, we’ll take a closer look at Step 1 and how you can get started in your classroom right away.


Why Are Clear Learning Goals and Success Criteria Important?

Imagine running a race without knowing where the finish line is. It would feel confusing, frustrating, and demotivating. The same is true for students when they don’t have clear learning goals. Learning goals define what students are working toward, while success criteria show them what achievement looks like. Together, they provide clarity and purpose, helping students stay focused and confident in their learning.

When students know exactly what is expected, they:

  • Understand the purpose of their work.
  • Feel more in control of their learning process.
  • Can measure their progress more effectively.
  • Gain confidence as they work toward clear, achievable targets.

In short, clear goals and criteria eliminate confusion and set the stage for meaningful learning.


How to Set Clear Learning Goals and Success Criteria

Getting started with Step 1 of Student Success Pedagogy doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Here’s a simple approach to integrate it into your classroom:

  1. Define the Learning Goal: Start by identifying what you want your students to learn. Goals should be specific, achievable, and aligned with curriculum standards. For example, instead of saying, “We’re learning about writing today,” you might say, “We’re learning to write a persuasive paragraph with a clear opinion and supporting reasons.”
  2. Articulate the Success Criteria: Once the goal is set, break it down into clear, student-friendly criteria that explain what success looks like. For the persuasive writing goal, your success criteria could be:
    • I wrote a clear opinion statement.
    • I included three supporting reasons.
    • I used linking words to connect my ideas.
  3. Share Goals and Criteria with Students: Make the learning goals and success criteria visible and accessible to students. Write them on the board, display them on an anchor chart, or provide them on handouts. The key is ensuring students can refer back to them as they work.
  4. Check for Understanding: Before starting the activity, take a moment to check that students understand the goals and success criteria. You can ask questions like, “What will you need to include to be successful today?” or “How will you know you’ve met the goal?”
  5. Revisit and Reflect: At the end of the lesson, have students reflect on their progress toward the goal. Did they meet the success criteria? What areas could they improve next time? This reinforces the learning process and builds self-awareness.

An Example in Action

Let’s look at a practical example of Step 1 in the classroom:

Lesson Goal: Write a descriptive paragraph about a favorite place.

Success Criteria:

  • I included a topic sentence that introduces my favorite place.
  • I used descriptive words to create a picture for the reader.
  • I wrote at least five sentences.

How It Works: The teacher starts the lesson by sharing the goal and criteria. Students are given examples of descriptive writing and a checklist based on the success criteria. As they write, students can refer to the checklist to guide their work. At the end of the lesson, they self-assess by revisiting the success criteria and reflecting on how well they met the goal.

This small shift—setting goals and success criteria—creates a clear pathway for students to succeed while building their confidence and focus.


Start Small: Try It in Your Classroom

If you’re new to Student Success Pedagogy, Step 1 is the perfect place to start. Pick one lesson this week and try setting clear learning goals and success criteria for your students. Keep it simple and specific—and don’t be afraid to revisit and refine your approach as you go.

You’ll be amazed at how much more focused and confident your students become when they know what success looks like. And once you’re comfortable with Step 1, you can build on this foundation to explore the other steps in the framework.


Ready to Learn More?

For more practical strategies and insights on Student Success Pedagogy, check out our latest podcast episode or stay tuned for upcoming emails. Let’s start small, set our goals, and transform learning one step at a time!

Scroll to Top