Are your teachers planning lessons that are not translating to STAAR Success? Could it be that this is what is happening?

MISALIGNMENT

During lesson planning, teachers know that designing lessons to the level of rigor for the targeted standard is required, but without knowing what this level is, how can this happen?

The answer is Depth of Knowledge (DOK)!

The state uses Depth of Knowledge (DOK) alignment tool by Dr. Norman Webb to ensure that the level of rigor of the assessed standards is equal to the level of rigor of the questions on STAAR. If the assessed standard is written on a DOK level 2, we can be sure that the question will be written up to a DOK level 2.

Here’s an example:

The level of thinking is at a level DOK level 2. Was it assessed at the same level of rigor? Let’s take a look.

Yes, it is at the same level of rigor! Therefore, our job is to get instruction, activities, and questions aligned to the DOK level of the standard!

ALIGNMENT

So, how do I begin aligning my instruction to the level of rigor of the standard?

Three Steps of Aligning Instruction

1. Become familiar with the Depth of Knowledge levels

2. Understand the expectation of the standard

3. Plan questioning and tasks across the DOK levels

The first step is to become familiar with the Depth of Knowledge (DOK) levels which categorize tasks according to the complexity of thinking required to complete them. The four levels are:

> Level 1: Recall and Reproduction

> Level 2: Skills & Concepts

> Level 3: Strategic Thinking

> Level 4: Extended Thinking

These levels are used to define the level of rigor of the standard and assessment, and now, instruction. They will help keep us focused on the targeted level of rigor.

Stay tuned for information of the additional steps.