Success Criteria: How to Write Them
Explore the importance of success criteria, how to write them effectively, and practical tips for integrating them into your teaching practice. + FREE Templates!
Success criteria are an essential tool in explicit teaching. They serve as a roadmap for both teachers and students, outlining what success looks like and providing a clear guide for achieving it. When crafted thoughtfully, the lesson criteria can foster clarity, engagement, and measurable progress. In this post, we’ll explore the importance of success criteria, how to write them effectively, and practical tips for integrating them into your teaching practice.
What Are Success Criteria?
Success criteria are specific, measurable statements that define what students need to achieve by the end of a lesson or activity. They outline the steps or components required to meet the learning intention, ensuring students understand the "how" behind their objectives. Not only do they clarify expectations but also give students the tools to self-assess and monitor their own progress.
For example, if the learning intention is "Students will learn how to summarise a text," the criteria might include:
Identify the main ideas in the text.
Use bullet points to list key details.
Write a summary in 3–4 sentences using your own words.
By breaking the learning intention into actionable steps, the teacher provides a clear path to success.
Why Are Success Criteria Important?
Success criteria are integral to effective teaching because they:
Set Clear Expectations: Students know exactly what they need to do and how to do it.
Support Self-Assessment: Students can evaluate their own work against the criteria, fostering independence and accountability.
Guide Feedback: Teachers can provide targeted feedback based on specific criteria, helping students improve in meaningful ways.
Increase Motivation: When students understand what success looks like, they are more engaged and confident in their learning.
How to Write Success Criteria
Writing effective criteria involves aligning them with the learning intention and the skills required to achieve it. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Start with the Learning Intention
The learning intention defines the overall goal of the lesson. For example, "Students will learn how to write a persuasive paragraph."
2. Break the Skill into Steps
Identify the steps required to complete the skill outlined in the learning intention. Each step should be clear, actionable, and measurable. For the example above, the success criteria might include:
Write a topic sentence that clearly states your opinion.
Include at least three supporting details or reasons.
Use linking words (e.g., "because," "therefore," "for example").
Conclude with a sentence that summarises your argument.
3. Use Specific, Measurable Language
Avoid vague statements like "Know how to" or "Understand the topic." Instead, focus on what students need to demonstrate. For instance:
Replace "Understand fractions" with "Identify the numerator and denominator in a fraction."
Replace "Write a summary" with "Summarise the text in 3–5 sentences using key details."
4. Align with Assessment Goals
Ensure your success criteria match the expectations of the assessment. For example, if students will be marked on their ability to organise ideas logically, include this as criteria within the lessons.
5. Make Criteria Student-Friendly
Write success criteria in language your students can understand. Use simple, direct phrases like "I can list three causes of climate change" or "I can solve a word problem using multiplication."
6. Balance Specificity and Flexibility
While success criteria should be specific, they should also allow for individual creativity and problem-solving. For example:
"Include at least three descriptive details in your story" is specific but allows for student choice.
Examples of Success Criteria by Subject
Maths
Learning Intention: "Students will solve multi-step word problems." Success Criteria:
Read the problem and identify the question.
Highlight key information and numbers.
Write an equation to represent the problem.
Choose and use a strategy to solve the equation step by step.
Check your answer by rereading the question.
Literacy
Learning Intention: "Students will identify the theme of a story." Success Criteria:
Identify the main character’s actions and motivations.
Describe the problem or conflict in the story.
Explain how the problem was resolved.
Write a sentence that summarises the theme.
Science
Learning Intention: "Students will draw and label a diagram of the water cycle." Success Criteria:
Define key terms (evaporation, condensation, precipitation).
Draw and label a diagram of the water cycle.
Explain how water moves through each stage in 1–2 sentences.
Tips for Implementing Success Criteria
1. Introduce Success Criteria at the Start of the Lesson
Begin each lesson by clearly explaining the success criteria. Use visuals or examples to ensure students understand what they need to do.
You can find FREE posters here.
2. Refer Back to Criteria During the Lesson
Throughout the lesson, remind students of the success criteria. For example:
"Before you start writing, check that your topic sentence states your opinion."
"Does your solution include all the steps we discussed?"
3. Use Success Criteria for Feedback
When providing feedback, reference the success criteria to show students what they did well and where they can improve. For example:
"Your diagram is clear and accurate, but make sure you include labels for all the stages."
Download and use these feedback slips for free
👉Find more Feedback Templates here
4. Encourage Self-Assessment
Provide students with a checklist based on the success criteria. This helps them reflect on their progress and identify areas for improvement.
5. Review Criteria at the End of the Lesson
Conclude the lesson by revisiting the lesson criteria. Discuss with students whether they met the expectations and what they learned.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Too Vague: Avoid generic criteria like "Know" or "Understand the topic." Focus on specific, observable actions.
Too Broad: Break down complex skills into manageable steps.
Not Aligned with the Lesson: Ensure learning targets directly reflect the learning intention and assessment goals.
Supporting Resources
Click the image to access these editable Canva templates for free:
Having a list before starting any lesson is essential. It helps teachers set clear goals for students and provides measurable benchmarks to evaluate learning outcomes effectively. By prioritising success criteria, educators can create structured, focused, and impactful lessons.
Brolga Education
Created by Trudy Mayo — explicit teaching specialist & curriculum writer.
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