Student Learning Objectives

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Implementing High Quality Student Learning Objectives:The Promise and the Challenge

October 2013

Maryland’s Vision for Education Reform

Revise the PreK-12 Maryland State

Curriculum

Redesign Teacher & Principal

Preparation, Development, Retention, and Evaluation

Build a Statewide Technology

Infrastructure

Implement the Breakthrough Center

Approach

WORLD CLASS STUDENTS

State Teacher Evaluation ModelProfessional Practice Student Growth

Planning andPreparation

12.5%

Instruction12.5%

Classroom Environment

12.5%

Professional Responsibilities

12.5%

Elementary/Middle School Teacher

Two Tested Areas

20% MSA Lag Measure based on 10% Reading and 10% Math 15% Annual SLO Measure as determined by priority identification at the district or school level 15% Annual SLO Measure as determined by priority identification at the classroom level

Elementary/Middle School Teacher One Tested Area

20% MSA Lag Measure based on either 20% Math or 20% Reading15% Annual SLO Measure as determined by priority identification at the district or school level 15% Annual SLO Measure as determined by priority identification at the classroom level

K-12 Non-Tested Area/Subject Teachers

20% SLO Lag Measure based on School Progress Index Indicators ( Achievement, Gap Reduction, Growth, College and Career Readiness), Advanced Placement Tests, or similarly available measures15% SLO Measure as determined by priority identification at the district or school level 15% Annual SLO Measure as determined by priority identification at the classroom level

High SchoolTeacher Tested Subjects

20% SLO Lag Measure based on HSA Algebra, HSA English 2, HSA Biology, or HSA American Government and including an HSA data point15% Annual SLO Measure as determined by priority identification at the district or school level 15% Annual SLO Measure as determined by priority identification at the classroom level

50 % Qualitative MeasuresDomain percentages proposed by LEA and approved by MSDE

oror

50 % Quantitative MeasuresAs defined below

oror oror

DRAFT 6/6/13

A Student Learning Objective (S.L.O.) is…

Ensure evaluator accountability

1. Critical Content

2. Quality Measure

3. Rigorous Target

4. Best-Practice Action Plan

Keys to High Quality SLOs

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Questions to Consider to Determine Critical Content

1. What must students know and be able to do to go to the next level?

2. What are the larger, transferrable ideas & processes student must apply to meet the standards of the course or program?

3. What aspects of the course do your students struggle with year after year?

4. What knowledge, skills, tasks and processes are being assessed at the end of the course?

Ensure evaluator accountability

1. What have you previously used to measure student performance on this content?

2. Does the measure meet district criteria?3. Is the measure aligned to the content?4. Is the measure common to other teachers in the same content? 5. Does the measure allow you to assess progress and/or proficiency?6. Is the measure rigorous?

Questions to Consider to Select Measures for SLO

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Commercially Developed and Validated Measures Aligned with the Standards

Criterion-referenced Tests, Inventories, and ScreenersDistrict common benchmark assessments, end of course

examsAuthentic Measures to Document Performance such as

Performance Assessments, Artifacts, PortfoliosSchool or Teacher-developed Approved Measures

Examples of Types of Measures/Assessments

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1. What was the past performance of current students?2.What was the past performance of previous students?3.What are district or school performance targets?4.What are the targets among teachers of the same grade or subject?

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Questions to Consider to Determine Targets

5. What is the gap between current performance and expected performance?6. What is the rationale for the rigor of the growth target? Why are these targets

AMBITIOUS and ATTAINABLE?

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Questions to Consider to Determine Targets

Determine rigorous targets

• Proficiency Target • 80% of students will pass the end of course exam• 75% or better will score a 3 or better on the AP exam

• Growth Target• 100% of my students will progress at one fitness level• 65% of my 1st graders will make projected growth or better on

the MAP assessment

• Tiered Targets Differentiated targets based on performance levels of groups of students

Approaches to Setting Targets

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Questions to Consider to Determine Action Plan

• What specific instructional strategies support target attainment?

• What professional development is needed?

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This is going to be MESSY!

Positive Outcomes

Adapted from New York State District-wide Growth Goal Setting Process – Road Map for Districts

After 5 years of using SLOs, teachers said:

These kids are “crazy good” by the end of the year!

I can count on what students will know and be able to do when they enter my classroom each year because of our school-wide SLO focus.

I value the professional conversations I have with my principal about what I do in my classroom and why I do it.

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After 5 years of using SLOs, teachers said:

“Our team talks every day about students and their progress….we make sure we support each other in reaching our targets….we plan together, share resourcesand regroup kids when needed.”

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For More Information:

http://marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/programs/tpe

Web resource includes:

• Maryland Teacher and Principal Evaluation Guidebook

• Sample SLOs• Templates and tools for Teachers• Templates and tools for Principals