Creating S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic

Time-bound

Why SMART Goals?

Goals are something that you want to achieve in the future

SMART goals assist in “getting focused” on what to focus efforts toward

SMART goals help define exactly what the “future state” looks like and how it will be measured

SMART goals show others how their work “aligns” and relates to the focus of the school

SPECIFIC A specific goal has a much greater chance of being accomplished than a general goal. To set a specific goal you must answer the six "W" questions:

Who: Who is involved? What: What do I want to accomplish? Where: Identify a location. When: Establish a time frame. Which: Identify requirements and constraints. Why: Specific reasons, purpose or benefits of

accomplishing the goal.

EXAMPLE: A general goal would be, "Get in shape." But a specific goal would say, "Join a health club and workout 3 days a week."

MEASURABLE

Measurable - Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the attainment of each goal you set. When you measure your progress, you stay on track, reach your target dates, and experience the exhilaration of achievement that spurs you on to continued effort required to reach your goal.

To determine if your goal is measurable, ask questions such as......How much? How many? How will I know when it is accomplished?

ATTAINABLEWhen you identify goals that are most important to you, you begin to figure out ways you can make them come true. You begin seeing previously overlooked opportunities to bring

yourself closer to the achievement of your goals.

You can attain most any goal you set when you plan your steps wisely and establish a time frame that allows you to carry out those steps. Goals that may have seemed far away and out of reach eventually move closer and become attainable, not because your goals shrink, but because you grow and expand to match them.

REALISTIC

To be realistic, a goal must represent an objective toward which you are both willing and able to work. A goal can be both high and realistic; you are the only one who can decide just how high your goal should be.

Be sure that every goal represents substantial progress. A high goal is frequently easier to reach than a low one because a low goal exerts low motivational force.

Your goal is probably realistic if you truly believe that it can be accomplished.

Additional ways to know if your goal is realistic is to determine if you have accomplished anything similar in the past or ask yourself what conditions would have to exist to accomplish this goal

TIME-BOUND

Set a timeframe for the goal: for the next week, in three months, by fifth grade.

Putting an end on your goal gives you a clear target to work towards

If you don’t set a time, the commitment is too vague. It tends not to happen because you feel you can start at any time. Without a time limit, there’s no urgency to start taking action now.

How To Write SMART Goals

Identify the “big, hairy audacious, critical-few” goals that need to be worked on (The Most Important Ones!) Consult the data! What are the greatest areas in need of improvement?

Dig deep and get specific (disaggregate!)

If all you did was spend time on the identified SMART goals, would the time be well-spent?

What SMART goal can we formulate with 5th grade math data?

SMART Goal Conclusion:

During the 2008-09 school year 5th grade students will improve their average raw math score on the MCA II sub-strand “Number Sense” from 14 to 16.

(Your district’s)Strategic Plan

District Goals (what we want to accomplish)

Practice Writing SMART Goals…

Improve This Goal…

Students will show one year’s growth in reading total as measured by MCA II’s.

Original: Students will show one years growth in reading total as measured by MCA II’s

SMART Goal: During the 2007-2008 school year, fourth grade students (as indicated by the MCA II’s comprehension sub-strand) at Nelson Elementary School will improve their average raw score on the comprehension sub-strand from 14 to 16 points.

Practice Writing SMART Goal

Step 1 – review student data Step 2 – discuss findings with PLC Step 3 – identify area of need Step 4 – write SMART Goal Step 5 – use SMART Goal checklist Step 6 – share your SMART Goal with one

other team for feedback

Next Steps

Share SMART Goal Worksheet (this will be turned into office by each team)

Go over SMART Goal Sample Meet with PLC Create Team Norms Begin looking at student data, NWEA,

MCA II, local assessments.

SMART Goal Forms: SMART Goal Check List (white form) PLC Norms worksheet (yellow form) Team Feedback Sheet (white form) SMART Goal Worksheet (blue form) SMART Goal Sample (green form)