OpenLearnLM Benchmark: A Unified Framework for Evaluating Knowledge, Skill, and Attitude in Educational Large Language Models

TL;DR

OpenLearnLM Benchmark introduces a comprehensive, theory-grounded framework for evaluating educational large language models across knowledge, skills, and attitude dimensions, addressing limitations of existing narrow benchmarks.

Contribution

It presents a unified, multi-dimensional evaluation framework grounded in learning sciences, with a large, diverse dataset and novel assessment methods for educational LLMs.

Findings

Grok-4.1-fast excels in knowledge but has alignment issues.

Claude-Opus-4.5 performs well in practical skills.

No single model dominates all evaluation dimensions.

Abstract

Large Language Models are increasingly deployed as educational tools, yet existing benchmarks focus on narrow skills and lack grounding in learning sciences. We introduce OpenLearnLM Benchmark, a theory-grounded framework evaluating LLMs across three dimensions derived from educational assessment theory: Knowledge (curriculum-aligned content and pedagogical understanding), Skills (scenario-based competencies organized through a four-level center-role-scenario-subscenario hierarchy), and Attitude (alignment consistency and deception resistance). Our benchmark comprises 124K+ items spanning multiple subjects, educational roles, and difficulty levels based on Bloom's taxonomy. The Knowledge domain prioritizes authentic assessment items from established benchmarks, while the Attitude domain adapts Anthropic's Alignment Faking methodology to detect behavioral inconsistency under varying monitoring conditions. Evaluation of seven frontier models reveals distinct capability profiles: Claude-Opus-4.5 excels in practical skills despite lower content knowledge, while Grok-4.1-fast leads in knowledge but shows alignment concerns. Notably, no single model dominates all dimensions, validating the necessity of multi-axis evaluation. OpenLearnLM provides an open, comprehensive framework for advancing LLM readiness in authentic educational contexts.