RSA:2 - Goal Setting

http://asumag.com/issue_20081101/

RSA2: Goal Setting

“The science behind the mechanisms and mediators that lead to successful goal accomplishment has been a focus of research since the 1970’s” (Curran & Reich, 2011).  All members of a school need to be involved in the planning and the developing of school goals. The goals must be strategic, measurable, attainable, result orientated, and time bound (O’Neill & Conzemius). Student achievement is linked with having SMART goals.  These goals provide a purpose for student learning, a challenge for student learning and a meaning for student learning. Simple goal setting can increase student performance.

Teachers working together, along with administrators are committed to the improvement though shared values and reflection.  Teachers can collect and analyze data, and make better instructional decisions (Rasberry, 2008). By working together to develop these goals, teachers can engage in deeper learning and make instructional decisions as a team. Everyone is on the same page with student achievement, growth, and results.  Higher performing schools set explicit academic goals that are aligned with the state standards (Dolejs, 2006). Teachers need to have a clear vision of what students need to learn.

All members of the district need to be involved in this process, the district goals, the school goals and the team goals.  The Principal and teachers share leadership to set and take ownership of these goals.  The goals will focus on exactly what students should know, learn and results.  “Schools with teachers who learn and kids who achieve use clear, agreed-upon student achievement goals to focus and shape teacher learning.” (WestEd, 2000) 

RSA1: The Use of Common Planning Time: A Case Study of Two Kentucky Schools to Watch

 http://www.eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ914054

Building a collaborative culture and the use of common planning time go hand in hand when building a Professional Learning Community but the members and the use of this planning time make a bigger difference. The fact that teachers collaborate will do nothing to improve a school. The pertinent question is not "Are they collaborating?" but rather "What are they collaborating about?" (DuFour, 2009). When I looked at the four questions that drive the PLC; 1. What is it we want our students to learn? 2. How will we know if each student has learned it? 3. How will we respond when some students do not learn it? and 4. How can we extend and enrich the learning for students who have demonstrated proficiency? To best answer these questions in a Middle School, I believe that subject area PLC's are the way to go.

PLC's in Middle School should be comprised of same subject area teachers because it is conducive for the aligning of curriculum, developing common assessments and analyzing the student assessment data. These key factors of a sustaining PLC are also the keys to the high performing middle school in my journal article. Having the opportunity to share ideas, strategies, techniques and compare assessments provides a solid base for all students to receive the most appropriate instruction. This professional learning community enables teachers to be reflective practitioners and to improve their instruction and assessment techniques to provide instruction that was relevant and engaging for the students (Cook, 2010).

The use of this common planning time also has to be addressed. Agendas, notes and goals for each meeting have to be set. Guidelines and timelines have to be thought out, kept and meet. The students needs must be the primary focus. If we focus on the student needs and embrace the idea that there is always room for improvement in ourselves. We will soon see the personal benefits to common planning time. These being improved teacher moral, a sense of collegiality and heightened levels of professionalism (Cook, 2010). If this is done properly we will be cultivating a learning environment in which students are challenged academically in a individualized and appropriate classroom.