C01-3 Checkpoint Proposal: Annotated Plan Ready

Status: Proposal (pending Jeremy's approval) Created: 2026-04-12 Source: TKT-006 --- C1-3 Assessment Package


Checkpoint C: Annotated Plan Ready

This checkpoint gates C1-3 (10-minute Interview). A student who completes all items has a genuine, annotated project plan and can walk the teacher through their planning decisions. A student who hasn't completed the checkpoint spends interview time trying to reconstruct their reasoning --- naturally lower marks.

Student Self-Check Criteria

Students can check each item themselves before the lesson:

  1. Milestones defined --- Plan includes teacher-provided milestones (criterion due dates) AND at least 2 student-defined milestones (e.g., "Core features complete," "Beta-ready build"). Clearly marked on the Gantt chart.

  2. Task sequencing shown --- Tasks are not a flat list. The order is intentional: tasks that depend on earlier tasks come after them. A reader can see why task X comes before task Y.

  3. Time allocations present --- Every task has a start date and end date. Timeline is realistic --- not everything crammed into the last week.

  4. Dependencies identified --- At least 2 dependencies are noted on the plan (annotated, colour-coded, or written next to tasks). A dependency means: "I cannot start task B until task A is finished."

  5. Annotations explaining choices --- Plan has handwritten or digital annotations explaining why things are structured this way. Not just labels --- reasoning.

  6. Artefact ready --- Annotated plan is printed or saved on screen. Student can show it during the interview and point to specific parts.

Teacher Quick Check (circulating, <60 seconds per student)

Check What to look for
Milestones At least 3 visible (teacher due dates + student-defined). Prompt: "Where are your milestones?"
Sequencing Tasks ordered, not random. Dependencies marked or implied.
Annotations Handwritten notes, highlights, arrows explaining choices. Not blank.
Quick verbal "Point to a dependency and tell me what happens if the first task is late."

Feedback Prompts (done to strong)

Area Prompt
No student milestones "Where are your milestones? What's a point where you'd stop and check progress?"
Flat task list "Which task must happen before which? Draw an arrow or write a note."
No annotations "Why did you put data collection first? Write a note explaining your reasoning."
Unrealistic timeline "3 days for development and 4 weeks for analysis --- does that match reality?"
No dependencies "Which tasks can't start until another finishes? Find at least 2 and mark them."
Ready for depth "Can you trace your critical path? That's what I'll ask about in the interview."

Proposed Checklist Integration

Where: C01-2026 checklist, under "Planning Detail (C1-3)" section, before the assessment tasks.

Suggestion: Group the existing learning tasks (add milestones/dependencies, "why monitor?" + peer review, annotate plan) under a "Checkpoint C tasks" heading. Add the self-check criteria above as the readiness gate before the interview.

Additional learning task proposals:

  • "Interview rehearsal" --- Walk a partner through your annotated plan while they ask questions from a provided question list. 10 min timed. Direct practice for the interview.
  • "Dependency mapping" --- For each dependency on your plan, write what happens if the predecessor is delayed. Builds genuine understanding for interview.

Note: The full assessment package (teacher protocol, question bank, scoring guide, worked examples) is in SD26-Teachers/sat/C01-2026/C01-3-Assessment-Package.typ. This wiki page covers only the checkpoint criteria suitable for the student-facing checklist.


Key VCAA Rubric Points for C1-3

The VCAA rubric (Indicator 3) has two important thresholds:

  • 7--8 threshold: Student must explain why the project needs to be monitored (project-specific, not generic) AND document student-provided milestones.
  • 9--10 threshold: Student must document dependencies and critical path AND discuss how progress will be monitored and documented (tools, frequency, what they record).

Monitoring is the key differentiator. Without monitoring reasoning, a student caps at 6.