Student Learning Objectives

An SLO is a measurable, long-term, academic goal informed by available data that a teacher or teacher team sets at the beginning of the year for all students or for subgroups of students. SLOs as a Measure of Student Growth 2

When and Why Did We Start Thinking About SLOs as Measures of Student Growth? 3

 Many Race to the Top states require or recommend SLOs for at least some teachers.  On the basis of Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) waivers, additional states are considering the use of SLOs.  Teacher Incentive Fund grantees were the early adopters and continue to be trailblazers in the use SLOs. Where Are SLOs Being Used? 4

 SLOs reinforce evidence-based teaching practices.  SLOs can be used with all teachers.  SLOs are adaptable.  SLOs encourage collaboration.  SLOs acknowledge the value of educator knowledge and skill.  SLOs connect teacher practice to student learning. Why Use SLOs? 5

The SLO Evaluation Cycle 6 Source: Lachlan-Haché, L., Cushing, E., & Bivona, L. (2012). Student learning objectives as measures of educator effectiveness: The basics. Washington, DC: American Institutes for Research. Retrieved from

SLO Approaches 7 Increasing Teacher Agency Increasing SLO Comparability Type 1 Set by teacher or teacher team using available assessments Type 2 Set by teacher or teacher team using assessment list or ranking Type 3 Set by teacher or teacher team using common assessments Type 4 Set by local education agency using common assessments and common growth targets Image adapted from: Lachlan-Haché, L., Matlach, L., Reese, K., Cushing, E., & Mean, M. (2013). Student learning objectives: Early lessons from the Teacher Incentive Fund. Washington, DC: Teacher Incentive Fund Technical Assistance Network.

Basic Growth Target  All students have the same growth target.  Example: All of my students will grow by 20 points by the end of the semester. Examples of SLO Growth Targets 8

Simple Average Growth Calculation  Growth targets are determined by a common formula, but each student has a different growth target based on his or her preassessment score.  Example: Based on the preassessment score, students will score halfway between their baseline score and 100.  If student scored 50 on the preassessment, his or her growth target is 75.  If a student score 40 on the preassessment, his or her growth target is 70. Examples of SLO Growth Targets 9

Tiered Growth Target  Group students together based on their preassessment scores.  Divide students into three or more categories (low, mid, advanced).  Example: Examples of SLO Growth Targets 10 Preassessment ScoreGrowth Score 0–45 points65 46–70 points points85

Advanced Tiered Growth Target  Students have a tiered target based on their preassessment.  Divide students into three or more categories (low, mid, advanced).  Students have to reach the greater of the two targets.  Example: Examples of SLO Growth Targets 11 Preassessment ScoreGrowth Score 0–45 points65 or +35 points, whichever is greater 46–70 points75 or +15 points, whichever is greater 70+ points85 or +14 points, whichever is greater

What Are the Challenges of Using SLOs? 12

 Lack of high-quality assessments for all grades and subjects  Difficult to create appropriate growth targets for all students  Challenging to set rigorous but realistic targets  Limits of capacity and resources that make continuous improvement of the SLO process difficult Limitations of SLOs 13

 Offer training and rater calibration. Offer ongoing training to ensure rigor and consistency throughout schools and districts. How Do States and Districts Prepare for SLO Implementation? 14

 Provide a structure and process for scoring SLOs. Foster consistent and fair ratings across teachers and evaluators while producing scores than can be easily combined with other measures to create a final summative rating. How Do States and Districts Prepare for SLO Implementation? 15

 Monitor and evaluate SLO implementation. Monitor, triangulate, and research the SLO process to promote the rigor, discussion, and reflection that lead to insightful revisions to the system. SLO audits are encouraged in order to ensure fidelity to the SLO process. Establish a committee of stakeholders (teachers, principals, district staff, etc.) to design a process by which SLOs can be verified. How Do States and Districts Prepare for SLO Implementation? 16

Next Steps for Our Team 17

 Who are the teachers/what are the courses for which we will use SLOs in 13-14?  Will teachers write the SLOs or will it be done for/with them?  When? Next Steps for Our Team (1 of 3) 18

 What format? Rubric?  What assessments will we use?  How will approval and monitoring work? Next Steps for Our Team (2 of 3) 19

 Who is going to do this work? NEFEC? District? TSCs? Combination?  What are our next steps and when? Next Steps for Our Team (3 of 3) 20