After establishing Expectations for Student Learning, school personnel should review the school's program of studies to ensure that the quantity and quality of courses available provide every student with ample opportunities to acquire the knowledge and skills that have been identified as desired learner outcomes. For schools that have chosen exhibitions and/or graduation portfolio as a method of demonstrating proficiency, the content knowledge and applied learning skills students need to successfully complete these requirements must be specifically identified. In order to ensure the fairness of a high stakes decision, it is important that students have sufficient opportunities to learn the overarching skills that are being assessed. Accordingly, a school must identify each course that will explicitly teach and assess the knowledge and skills described in its expectations. This process is called "curriculum mapping."

Mapping curricula to standards is important; all schools – including elementary and middle schools – should provide curricula and instructional experiences over multiple years to develop the knowledge and skills assessed during an exhibition or through a graduation portfolio. Beyond mere instruction, schools should also provide students feedback as they progress toward the desired level of performance.

Mapping curricula to standards is important; all schools – including elementary and middle schools – should provide curricula and instructional experiences over multiple years to develop knowledge and skills assessed during an exhibition or through a graduation portfolio. Beyond mere instruction, schools should also provide students feedback as they progress toward the desired level of performance.