Goal Setting for Exceptional Outcomes

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

 One of the most important things I do as a superintendent is review our academic outcomes and work with the staff to set goals that challenge our students to perform at a higher level.

"According to research, Goal setting is the single most powerful motivational tool in a leader's toolkit. Why? Because  goal setting operates in  ways that provide purpose, challenge and meaning. Goals are the guideposts along the road that make compelling vision come alive. Goals energize people. Specific, clear, challenging goals lead to greater effort and achievement than easy or vague goals do" (Blanchard, 2007, p. 150). For more information see Learning By Doing by DuFour, DuFour, Eaker and Many.

This year we have set District Goals in Reading, Math, Language Arts and Attendance. The goals set are SMART goals. They are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound. By following this formula, our faculty was able to set goals for the 2015-2016 school year linking evidence to decision making. This may seem so simple, but it is quite powerful.

The academic goals are based on an assessment that the district has been using for a number of years. It is called Measures of Academic Progress or MAP for short. This assessment is given to all 3-10 grade students.  It measures the growth of a student and compares each student's growth to a national norm. The assessment is given in the fall and again in the spring to measure the progress or growth that has taken place during the school year.

Upon completing the fall assessment, a growth target is set for each individual based on all other students nation-wide of the same age and like scores.

In the spring, students take the assessment to find out if they reached their growth target.
Once again, every student is measured against students of like scores and age. This process allows the district to measure adequate growth.

I believe it is possible for all students to reach their growth targets. With good attendance and academic interventions at the individual level this is not unrealistic. Last year's spring assessment revealed that 60% of our students are meeting or exceeding their READING targets; 65% MATH targets; and 60% are meeting or exceeding their LANGUAGE ARTS targets. Based on this information the staff set goals to improve those outcomes this year (2015-2016).

The four slides to the right indicated last year's outcome with this year's desired results. We are changing our culture as we set goals by placing value on results. Our practitioners are "Making Dust." They are setting higher standards. I am already excited about next year as I am sure the outcome will be exceptional.

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"