Which term describes the relationship between activities and outcomes, including the set of goals and methods to reach them?

Which term describes the relationship between activities and outcomes, including the set of goals and methods to reach them?

• A. Theory of change
• B. Curriculum map
• C. Articulation matrix
• D. Activity-outcome framework

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is the theory of change. It describes the planned path from what you do (activities) to what you want to achieve (outcomes), including the goals you’re aiming for and the methods or steps you’ll use to reach them. A theory of change lays out the assumed causal chain: the activities you implement, the immediate results they produce, the short- and long-term outcomes, and the ultimate impact. It also notes the assumptions behind why those activities should work, the indicators you’ll use to measure progress, and a timeline for when changes are expected. This holistic view of how change is supposed to happen differentiates it from terms like curriculum maps, which focus on aligning content with standards; articulation matrices, which map connections across programs or levels; or frameworks that map activities to outcomes without detailing the broader plan and assumptions.

The idea being tested is the theory of change. It describes the planned path from what you do (activities) to what you want to achieve (outcomes), including the goals you’re aiming for and the methods or steps you’ll use to reach them. A theory of change lays out the assumed causal chain: the activities you implement, the immediate results they produce, the short- and long-term outcomes, and the ultimate impact. It also notes the assumptions behind why those activities should work, the indicators you’ll use to measure progress, and a timeline for when changes are expected. This holistic view of how change is supposed to happen differentiates it from terms like curriculum maps, which focus on aligning content with standards; articulation matrices, which map connections across programs or levels; or frameworks that map activities to outcomes without detailing the broader plan and assumptions.