AlignmentObject

AlignmentObject attaches a LearningResource (or any CreativeWork) to a specific standard, competency, or learning objective in an external framework. It's the mechanism schools, publishers, and LMS systems use to tell each other "this lesson teaches Common Core Math.4.NBT.B.4".

Full example of schema.org/AlignmentObject json-ld markup

The markup is verified as valid with Rich Results Test from Google.

Highlight legend:Required by GoogleRecommendedOptional

schema.org/AlignmentObject

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "LearningResource",
  "name": "Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators",
  "learningResourceType": "Lesson plan",
  "educationalAlignment": [
    {
      "@type": "AlignmentObject",
      "alignmentType": "teaches",
      "educationalFramework": "Common Core State Standards",
      "targetName": "CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NF.B.3",
      "targetUrl": "http://www.corestandards.org/Math/Content/4/NF/B/3",
      "targetDescription": "Understand a fraction a/b with a > 1 as a sum of fractions 1/b."
    },
    {
      "@type": "AlignmentObject",
      "alignmentType": "assesses",
      "educationalFramework": "NAEP Mathematics Framework",
      "targetName": "Grade 4 Number Properties and Operations",
      "targetUrl": "https://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/mathematics/framework.aspx"
    },
    {
      "@type": "AlignmentObject",
      "alignmentType": "typicalAgeRange",
      "targetName": "9-10"
    }
  ]
}
</script>

Direct properties (5)

alignmentType: the relationship — teaches, assesses, requires, textComplexity, educationalSubject, educationalLevel, readingLevel, typicalAgeRange.
educationalFramework: Text name of the framework ("Common Core State Standards", "Next Generation Science Standards", "IMS CASE").
targetName: the framework node's label.
targetUrl: canonical URL of the framework node.
targetDescription: the node's full description (often copied from the framework doc).

Attached to a LearningResource via educationalAlignment. Multiple AlignmentObjects are normal: one for the standard being taught, one for the assessment, one for the age range.

Minimal valid version

The smallest markup that still produces a valid AlignmentObject entity. Use it as the floor. Reach for the advanced example above when you want search engines and AI agents to understand more about your content.

schema.org/AlignmentObject (minimal)

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "AlignmentObject",
  "alignmentType": "teaches",
  "educationalFramework": "Common Core State Standards",
  "targetName": "CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NF.B.3"
}
</script>

Google rich results this unlocks

Markup matching this example makes your page eligible for the following Google Search rich results. The primary target drives the required / recommended property classification in the advanced code block above.

LearningResource signals for educational search / LMS ingestion
Google docs

Common AlignmentObject mistakes

Mistakes that pass validation but silently fail to earn rich results or mislead consumers walking the graph. Avoid these and your markup will be ahead of most sites in the wild.

alignmentType as free text

Wrong

"alignmentType": "aligned to"

Right

Use the documented values: teaches / assesses / requires / textComplexity / educationalSubject / educationalLevel / readingLevel / typicalAgeRange

Consumers match on the documented strings; other values are dropped.

02
One AlignmentObject for multiple standards
Wrong
```
targetName: "CCSS.4.NF.B.3 and NGSS.4-PS.3"
```
Right
```
Separate AlignmentObject per standard
```
LMS ingestion splits per standard; combining loses the mapping.
03
targetUrl missing for searchable frameworks
Wrong
```
Standard without targetUrl
```
Right
```
Include the canonical framework-node URL
```
targetUrl is the key to AI / LMS cross-references; without it the mapping stays local.

Schema properties in this example

AlignmentObject Intangible LearningResource CreativeWork name learningResourceType educationalAlignment alignmentType educationalFramework targetName targetUrl targetDescription

About the example data

A 4th-grade fraction-addition lesson aligned to Common Core Math.4.NF.B.3, assessed against NAEP Grade 4, targeted at students aged 9–10.

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