Mastery vs. Performance

Researchers distinguish between two types of goals mastery and performance. Mastery goals tend to orient students toward acquiring new skills and improving competence. Performance goals tend to lead students to seek positive evaluations of their ability, to outperform others, and to consider ability rather than effort as the primary determinant of performance. Use the questions to guide your responses.

• Is your school more oriented toward mastery goals or performance goals for students? Explain.
• How can a school increase its emphasis on mastery goal orientation?