A performance objective is a description of an observable task to be performed by a learner to demonstrate that he has learned something. Performance goals stated clearly in terms of observable student performance can be used to improve educational methods. Because it is relatively difficult to construct indirect objectives that will satisfactorily represent complex cognitive or affective achievements, educators often settle for criterion tasks that demonstrate nothing beyond the recognition or recall of information. However, performance objectives can be constructed for the cognitive and affective domains so that both students and teachers will know the desired goal and whether or not it is attained. Differentiated staffing is pertinent in freeing professional staff members from routine duties to assist students to interact with the learning environment as self-directed learners. (Author/MLF)