ABSTRACT
Clarifying the learning target is the first of seven steps in the SDI Planning Process.
Learning targets guide learning by describing, in student-friendly language, the lesson-sized chunk of information, skills and reasoning processes that students will accomplish. When written well and shared frequently, learning targets have been shown to increase a student’s understanding of the goal, increase motivation and allow the opportunity for students to adjust their behaviors. These benefits are important for all students, but particularly for students with disabilities. For effective specially designed instruction, particularly for settings where educators don’t work side by side, it is essential that everyone is clear on the meaning of the target. A clear learning target allows the specialist to develop adaptations aimed directly at accomplishing the target.
