standards-gap-analysis
Identify which standards are covered vs. missing, analyze depth of coverage for each standard, prioritize uncovered standards, and recommend content to fill gaps. Use when auditing curriculum coverage. Activates on "gap analysis", "standards gaps", or "coverage audit".
When & Why to Use This Skill
The Standards Gap Analysis skill is a specialized tool designed for educators and curriculum developers to ensure instructional alignment. It systematically identifies missing or under-covered educational standards, evaluates the depth of cognitive rigor, and provides actionable recommendations to fill curriculum gaps. By automating the audit process, it helps schools and districts maintain high-quality instruction and improve student readiness for high-stakes assessments.
Use Cases
- Curriculum Auditing: Conduct a comprehensive review of existing course materials to identify missing standards and ensure 100% alignment with state or national frameworks.
- Instructional Depth Analysis: Evaluate whether current lessons meet the required cognitive complexity (DOK/Bloom's levels) for high-priority standards.
- Resource Evaluation: Assess the effectiveness of new textbooks or digital learning platforms by mapping their content against specific grade-level requirements.
- Pacing Guide Optimization: Reallocate instructional time by identifying over-covered areas and prioritizing critical, high-stakes standards when teaching schedules are tight.
- New Teacher Support: Assist educators in quickly assessing the coverage of inherited curriculum materials to plan effective remediation.
| name | standards-gap-analysis |
|---|---|
| description | Identify which standards are covered vs. missing, analyze depth of coverage for each standard, prioritize uncovered standards, and recommend content to fill gaps. Use when auditing curriculum coverage. Activates on "gap analysis", "standards gaps", or "coverage audit". |
Standards: Gap Analysis
Identify gaps in standards coverage and provide recommendations for filling them.
When to Use
- Mid-year curriculum review
- Curriculum audit before testing
- New teacher assessment of materials
- Textbook evaluation
- Scope and sequence validation
Gap Analysis Components
1. Coverage Identification
Determine:
- ✓ Covered: Standard addressed in curriculum
- ⚠ Partially Covered: Standard mentioned but insufficient depth
- ✗ Not Covered: Standard missing entirely
2. Depth Analysis
Assess Rigor:
- Surface: Mentioned only
- Developing: Some instruction/practice
- Proficient: Thorough instruction, multiple practice opportunities
- Advanced: Mastery expected, rigorous assessment
DOK/Bloom's Level:
- Does coverage match required cognitive level?
- Are assessments at appropriate complexity?
3. Time Allocation
Coverage Duration:
- Minutes/hours spent on standard
- Number of lessons addressing it
- Practice opportunities
- Assessment items
4. Balance Analysis
Distribution:
- Are all domains/strands proportionally covered?
- Do coverage percentages match test blueprints?
- Are foundational standards prioritized?
Gap Types
Critical Gaps
High-Stakes Standards:
- Heavily weighted on state tests
- Prerequisites for future learning
- Grade-level essential content
Impact: Immediate remediation needed
Important Gaps
Significant Standards:
- Assessed but lower weight
- Supporting standards
- Enrichment opportunities
Impact: Should address before year end
Minor Gaps
Supplementary Standards:
- Optional extensions
- Enrichment only
- Less critical for assessment
Impact: Address if time permits
Prioritization Matrix
| Coverage | Test Weight | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Missing | High | Critical - Address immediately |
| Partial | High | High - Deepen coverage |
| Missing | Medium | Medium - Add if possible |
| Partial | Medium | Low - Enhance if time |
| Missing | Low | Optional - Enrichment only |
Recommendations
Filling Gaps
Strategies by Gap Size:
Large Gaps (missing entire domain):
- Add new unit or extended lessons
- Reteach/introduce
- Consider summer school or intervention
Medium Gaps (missing some standards):
- Supplemental lessons
- Integrated practice
- Homework emphasis
Small Gaps (insufficient depth):
- Additional practice problems
- Deeper questioning
- More rigorous assessments
Curriculum Pacing Adjustment
Time Reallocation
If Behind:
- Identify over-covered standards
- Reduce time on low-priority standards
- Combine related standards
- Streamline activities
Catch-Up Strategies:
- Spiral review (integrate into ongoing lessons)
- Homework/extension focus
- Intervention groups
- Technology/independent practice
CLI Interface
# Basic gap analysis
/standards.gap-analysis --curriculum "7th-grade-math/" --standards "Common-Core-Math-7"
# With prioritization
/standards.gap-analysis --content "ela-curriculum/" --standards "CCSS-ELA-8" --prioritize --test-blueprint "state-test-weights.json"
# Mid-year check
/standards.gap-analysis --taught-so-far "lessons/week-1-20/" --standards "TEKS-Science-7" --date "January" --remaining-weeks "18"
# Multi-teacher comparison
/standards.gap-analysis --compare-teachers --teacher-a "teacher1/lessons/" --teacher-b "teacher2/lessons/" --standards "State-Math-6"
# Generate action plan
/standards.gap-analysis --curriculum "social-studies/" --standards "C3-Framework-8" --action-plan --timeline "10-weeks"
Output
- Standards coverage matrix
- Gap identification (critical/important/minor)
- Priority recommendations
- Suggested lessons/activities for gaps
- Revised pacing guide
- Action plan with timeline
Composition
Input from: /standards.us-state-mapper, /standards.subject-standards, /curriculum.design
Works with: /standards.coverage-validator, /curriculum.iterate-feedback
Output to: Remediation plans, pacing adjustments
Exit Codes
- 0: Gap analysis complete
- 1: Insufficient curriculum data
- 2: Standards framework mismatch
- 3: Critical gaps identified (>20% missing)