Creating SMART Goals

PLC WikiAll materials can be found here

http://crplc.wikispaces.com/PLC+Resources

The Big Ideas of a PLCWe accept learning as the fundamental

purpose of our school and therefore are willing to examine all practices in light of their impact on learning.

We are committed to working together to achieve our collective purpose. We cultivate a collaborative culture through the development of high-performing teams.

We assess our effectiveness on the basis of results rather than intentions. Individuals, teams and schools seek relevant data and information and use that information to promote continuous improvement.

-Becky DuFour

If people make decisions based on the collective

study of the same pool of information, they increase

the likelihood that they will arrive at the same

conclusion.-Rick & Becky DuFour

Resources to Help Build Shared Knowledge & Clarify “Learn

What”Possible sources of data for team review, study, and

shared learning.  Past assessment results (could be local, district or state)Examples of student work and the criteria used to judge itCurriculum frameworks Copies of standards (district, Common Core, literacy

standards)How the textbook presents the curriculum, etc. Vertical Articulation- have the grade/course above

articulate a list of knowledge, skills, and understandings they would want students to have when they enter that grade or course.  Your team could then review and reflect on how these are being addressed.   For example, 5th grade math teachers at Churchville could

create this list. Julie's 4th grade math team would look at how they are preparing students in each of the areas defined by the 5th grade teachers.

-

Look at the Data and See What It Tells

You

Collaborating on a SMART Goal

Based on the review of data sources, team discusses the area of student learning around which they will build their SMART goal.  

Reminder- we are not coming together to argue or debate.  We are coming together to collaborate

“There is nothing more important that each member’s commitment to common purpose and a related performance goal to which the group holds itself jointly accountable.” –Katzenback & Smith, 1993

Pursue Both Attainable Goals & Stretch Goals

Attainable Goals- intended to document incremental progress and build momentum through short-term wins

Stretch Goals- intended to inspire, stimulate creativity, and stimulate action

Why Do We Need Smart Goals?

What stands out to you?

Attainable GoalsThis is the type of goal the team will

develop.

Will serve as a benchmark of progress.

“If we seek and implement best practices, we have reason to believe we will achieve our team goal.”

-Dufour, DuFour, & Eaker- Learning by Doing

SMART GoalsStrategic and Specific

Measureable

Attainable

Results oriented

Time bound

SStrategic and Specific: Goals

should be very focused and clearly define what we want students to know and be able to do.

Richard DuFour

MMeasurable: Goals should

clearly spell out the amount of change or progress.

-Richard DuFour

AAttainable: Goals should be

“do-able,” but should stretch students. Goals that are not rigorous will result in lower achievement than might be possible with higher expectations.

- Richard DuFour

RResults-oriented: Goals should

be expressed in terms of students outcomes, indicating the target behaviors that are evidence of student outcomes.

-Richard DuFour

TTime-bound: A timeframe or

end point for the desired student outcomes should be established. Without a time limit, there is no urgency for taking action now.

-Richard DuFour

Are These SMART Team Goals?

Strategically aligned with the schoolwide goal of improving student achievement, by the end of the school year we will:

Develop and administer at least six common assessments.

Implement the Common Core Standards in the 100% of the classrooms.

Increase the percentage of students achieving and exceeding the target score (80% +) on each strand of our end-of-year assessment, from 81% last year to at least 90% this year.

Other Tips for Writing SMART Goals

Stipulate both past level of performance and improvement goalReality- 86% passedGoal- at least 90% will pass

Focus on Results, Not Actions

Focus on what students will do not what teachers will doNon-examples

We will integrate technology into our course. We will align our curriculum with the newly adopted

textbook.

The Importance of Short-Term SMART Goals

People can become so caught up in big dreams that they don’t manage the current reality. Short-term gains are needed to establish credibility for a change initiative over the long haul. Major change takes time. Zealots will stay the course not matter what. Most of us want to see some convincing evidence that all the effort is paying off. Nonbelievers have even higher standards of proof. We want clear data indicating changes are working.

(Kotter, 1996, pp. 118-119)

Designing the SMART GoalRead through sample SMART goal

worksheets for various grade levels (on wiki)

Complete SMART goal worksheet and/ or Team SMART Goal-Setting Plan (on wiki).