Visible Language (targets, success criteria, discourse)

Person wearing a light blue shirt typing on a silver laptop on a wooden desk, with a blurred background of plants and natural light.

Clarity that Students Can See and Use

Visible language strengthens clarity, engagement, and ownership. We align expectations, build teacher capacity, and support leaders to monitor and sustain clarity-rich instruction across classrooms. Does core instruction feel built for the “average student” and retrofitted for others?

  • Do students understand the learning target and what “good work” looks like?

  • Is academic discourse intentionally taught and supported?

  • Do leaders and teams share clear look-fors and exemplars?

What this means:  

Visible language increases clarity, ownership, and engagement by making learning expectations explicit. SIL helps districts build shared practices for learning targets, success criteria, and discourse so students consistently know what they’re learning, why it matters, and how to show growth.

CESA 2 Tip: Start with Coaching Entry Moves + Success Criteria

Systems

  • Systems Audit (Y1) (look-fors/consistency)

  • PLC Systems Audit (Y1) (shared language)

Instruction

  • Tier 1 Coaching (Y1) (targets/success criteria/discourse)

  • CRP Practices (C)

  • CoPlan • CoServe (C)

Data

  • PLCs (C) (student work + success criteria)

Capacity

  • Co-Teaching (C) (shared language in delivery)

  • SEE-KS Mentorship (C)

Innovation

  • Microcredentials (Y3)

  • AI for Inclusion Pilot (Y3)