Learning objectives are specific, measurable statements describing what a student will know or be able to do after instruction, used for planning curriculum and meeting state compliance requirements.
What are Learning Objectives?
Learning objectives are clear, student-centered statements that describe exactly what learners should accomplish after completing a lesson, unit, or course. Unlike vague goals like "understand fractions," effective objectives use action verbs that make outcomes observable and measurable—"solve multi-step fraction problems" or "compare fractions with unlike denominators." For homeschoolers, learning objectives serve dual purposes: guiding daily instruction and satisfying state documentation requirements where applicable. Some states like Pennsylvania require families to submit learning objectives annually, though districts cannot prevent homeschooling based on those objectives.
Key Takeaways
- Use action verbs (identify, compare, analyze) rather than vague terms (understand, learn, know)
- Objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound
- Required for compliance in some states like Pennsylvania, New York, and Vermont
- Bloom's Taxonomy provides a framework for writing objectives at different cognitive levels
- Keep state-submitted objectives broad to maintain flexibility throughout the year
Learning Objectives vs. Standards
The distinction matters for planning. Standards describe what students should know by year's end—broad benchmarks typically set by states or organizations. Learning objectives break those standards into smaller, lesson-sized targets. A state standard might require fourth graders to "demonstrate understanding of fractions," while your learning objective for Tuesday's lesson might be "convert improper fractions to mixed numbers with 90% accuracy." Curriculum is how students achieve objectives; assessments measure whether they did. Effective homeschool planning works backward: identify objectives first, then choose curriculum and assessments that support them.
Using Bloom's Taxonomy
Bloom's Taxonomy organizes thinking skills from simple to complex, providing a vocabulary for writing varied learning objectives. The revised framework includes six levels: Remember (recall facts), Understand (explain concepts), Apply (use in new situations), Analyze (break into parts), Evaluate (make judgments), and Create (produce something new). Strong homeschool planning includes objectives across multiple levels. A history unit might ask students to list key Civil War battles (Remember), explain causes of the conflict (Understand), compare Northern and Southern strategies (Analyze), and evaluate whether the war was inevitable (Evaluate).
Practical Tips for Homeschool Parents
For state compliance, keep submitted objectives intentionally broad—"continue developing mathematical reasoning" maintains flexibility better than "complete chapters 5-8 in Saxon Math by December." For your own planning, more specific objectives help. Avoid the completion trap: "finish the worksheet" isn't a learning objective. Ask instead: what should my child know or do after the worksheet? Include your older students in setting objectives—this develops metacognitive skills and ownership over learning. Review objectives periodically and adjust; they're planning tools, not contracts.
The Bottom Line
Learning objectives transform vague educational intentions into concrete, measurable targets. Whether you're required to submit them for state compliance or simply want more focused instruction, clear objectives help you plan purposefully and assess honestly. The ABCD framework (Audience, Behavior, Condition, Degree) provides structure when you need it, but even simple action-verb statements beat "my child will learn math." Start with what you want your child to accomplish, then work backward to curriculum and activities.
