Which stage of Understanding by Design identifies standards and learning goals?

• A. Stage 2 Evidence defines assessments and performance tasks to show learning.
• B. Stage 1 Desired Results identifies standards and learning goals.
• C. Stage 3 Learning Plan designs activities and lessons to achieve the goals.
• D. Stage 4 Evaluation

Answer: (B)

In Understanding by Design, the first stage is where you decide what students should understand and be able to do by the end. This involves identifying the standards and learning goals, and shaping enduring understandings and essential questions that guide the unit. Setting these targets at the start ensures every later activity and assessment aligns to the same outcomes. After that, you move to Stage two to design assessments and performance tasks that reveal what students can do, and Stage three to plan the learning experiences that help them reach those goals. Some descriptions mention evaluation as a later step to review results and refine instruction, but the initial identification of standards and goals clearly belongs to the first stage.