læreplanmål

Læreplanmål are explicit statements within the Norwegian national curriculum that describe what students should know, be able to do, and understand by the end of a subject or course. They function as the central guide for planning, teaching, and assessment, and they connect the content of the curriculum with classroom practice.

In Norway, these goals sit within the Læreplanverket (the national curriculum framework). The current reform, commonly referred to as LK20, presents for each subject a set of kompetansemål — competence goals — that are organized by grade level and are designed to reflect knowledge, skills, and general competences students should develop. Sub-goals and criteria for progression may accompany the main kompetansemål to guide pacing and assessment.

Teachers use læreplanmål to structure lessons and to plan assessments. Ongoing assessment (underveisvurdering) monitors progress toward the goals, while summative assessment evaluates whether the student has met them, often at the end of a term or course. The goals are publicly available and provide a basis for selecting teaching materials, designing tasks, and communicating expectations to students and parents. They also inform national testing in some subjects.

The system aims to ensure consistent national expectations while allowing schools to adapt instruction to local contexts and student needs. While the goals promote clarity and accountability, they are part of a broader educational strategy that includes pedagogy, assessment practices, and school-level planning.