What are specific, measurable goals set by educators referred to as?

Specific, measurable goals set by educators are referred to as objectives. Objectives provide a clear direction for both teaching and assessing student learning by outlining what students should know and be able to do by the end of a lesson or unit. They are essential for ensuring that instruction is targeted and effective, allowing educators to measure student progress and success in achieving those learning goals.

In contrast, criteria refer to the specific standards or benchmarks used to evaluate student performance, while standards are broader educational benchmarks set by authorities to outline what students should learn at various stages. Outcomes are often used to describe the end results of the learning process, which may encompass a wider array of achievable results, including skills and knowledge that students retain long-term. Thus, while all these terms are related to educational goals and assessments, objectives specifically denote the measurable aims that instructors set for their students.