S.M.A.R.T GOALS BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND! LIZ PARKER, M.ED

Why do we REALLY need S.M.A.R.T goals? Just ask the “Ice Scraper”…

Why do we REALLY need S.M.A.R.T goals?  Many school divisions now require S.M.A.R.T goals as part of the school counselor evaluation process.  Shows administration, school board, etc. how the school counselor’s work “aligns” and relates to the focus of the school.  Shows the impact of your school-counseling program on student achievement and success.  A major weapon in your fight against inappropriate uses of your time, knowledge, skills and expertise.

Where do I start?  School Improvement Plan  VDOE School Report Card  Gap groups 1,2,3 for Federal Accountability  Percentage of students passing each SOL by subgroup  School Safety data for past 3 years by Offense Category  School’s Office Discipline Referral or Suspension data  School’s Attendance and/or Tardy Data

S.M.A.R.T Goals…

Let’s get SPECIFIC …  Describe the goal in precise terms! Ask yourself…  WHO is going to be involved?  WHAT do I want to accomplish?  WHY is this important?  Good goals use verbs to start or within the sentence (“we will”)

MEASURABLE…  Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress towards the goal. You should be able to see it or count it.  Should be measurable with an assessment, process or tool.  Answers the questions:  How much?  How many?  How will I know when my goal is accomplished?

ACHIEVABLE…  Ask yourself:  Do I truly believe this can be accomplished?  What resources do I need to accomplish this goal and will they be available to me? Set goals that push and challenge you (aim high) but are reasonable and attainable (within reach).

REALISTIC/RELEVANT…  What is the expected result? Results are student achievement focused and not on parent or teacher behavior.  Ask yourself…  Does this goal make a difference?  Am I both willing and able to work towards this goal?  Have I accomplished anything similar in the past?

TIMELY…  Every goal must be grounded within a time frame. This creates a sense of urgency to start working towards your goal now.  Ask yourself…  When do I hope to accomplish this goal?  Next month? After the 1 st nine weeks? By mid- year? By the end of the academic year?

Is this goal S.M.A.R.T? Academic Goal…S.M.A.R.T Academic Goal…  70% of 4 th grade students identified in Gap Group 1 who scored between on their reading SOL in 2014, will pass their Reading SOL by the end of the 2015 academic year.  4 th grade students will pass their reading SOL by the end of the year.

Is this goal S.M.A.R.T? Behavioral Goal…  Dumbarton Elementary School will decrease suspensions by the end of the academic year. S.M.A.R.T Behavioral Goal…  By the end of the academic year, Dumbarton Elementary School will decrease out-of-school suspensions within the African American subgroup by 40%.

Is this goal S.M.A.R.T? Attendance Goal…  We will decrease the number of student absences by 30% this academic year. S.M.A.R.T Attendance Goal…  3 rd, 4 th and 5 th grade students with 10 or more absences in the previous academic year will have fewer than seven absences during the academic year.

“ ” By June 2015, the number of students receiving office referrals will decrease by 30%. E LEMENTARY S CHOOL I MPROVEMENT PLAN G OAL What would be a good School Counseling Department S.M.A.R.T goal?

“ ” 75% of all 4 th grade students will reach proficiency on the Reading SOL. E LEMENTARY S CHOOL I MPROVEMENT P LAN G OAL What would be a good School Counseling Department S.M.A.R.T goal?

“If you don’t know where you are going, you might end up somewhere else.” YOGI BERRA THINK/PAIR/SHARE Time!

Questions? Concerns? VSCA is here to help with your S.M.A.R.T goals!