TABLE 1.

Example taken from Duncan et al. (2009, Table 2) showing how learning goals inform, and are connected to, performances and assessment tasks, with the highest level in their learning progression shown^a

Learning goal	Performance	Assessment task	Expected response
Proteins have particular three-dimensional shapes determined by their amino acid sequences. Proteins have many different kinds of functions that depend on their specific properties. There are different types of genetic mutations that can affect the structures, and thus the functions, of proteins, and ultimately the traits.	Students explain or predict how a genetic mutation might affect the structure and function of a protein.	Some people are born with a genetic disease called muscular dystrophy. People with this disease have great difficulty in walking or exercising. Can you explain what might be causing these problems?	Maybe their muscle cells do not move well because the proteins in these cells do not work as a result of a mutation in a gene.

^aBold emphases are ours and indicate performances.