Teacher Clarity

What Is Teacher Clarity?

Teacher Clarity is an instructional approach developed by Doug Fisher and Nancy Frey that emphasizes clearly defined learning intentions, success criteria, and purposeful instruction. It ensures students understand what they are learning, why it matters, and how they will know they’ve succeeded.

Why Teacher Clarity Matters

Clear learning intentions and success criteria help students focus on the right learning goals, reduce confusion, and increase engagement. Research shows that when instruction is transparent and aligned, students demonstrate stronger understanding, improved performance, and greater ownership of their learning.

Core Components of Teacher Clarity

  • Learning Intentions: What students are expected to learn.

  • Success Criteria: How students demonstrate understanding.

  • Purposeful Instruction: Lessons designed to meet the intention.

  • Assessment & Feedback: Evidence of learning used to guide next steps.

Teacher Clarity in Action (Quick Example)

A teacher begins a lesson by stating the learning intention (“We are learning to compare fractions”) and success criteria (“You can explain which fraction is greater using a number line”). Students use these criteria to monitor their progress and understand expectations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Teacher Clarity the same as posting objectives? No. Teacher Clarity goes beyond posting objectives — it requires students to understand the intention and criteria, not just see them.

Does Teacher Clarity work across grade levels? Yes. The framework is effective in all content areas and grade levels.

Who developed Teacher Clarity? Doug Fisher and Nancy Frey

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