How Teachers Develop Student Growth Objectives (SGOs)

1. A presentation to the New Jersey State Board of Education August 6, 2014 How Teachers Develop Student Growth Objectives (SGOs) “Student growth objectives. . .shall be specific and measurable, based on available student learning data, aligned to Core Curriculum Content Standards, and based on growth and/or achievement.” (NJAC 6A:10-4.2)

2. All teachers set SGOs: In 2014-15, 20%* of summative rating Student Growth Objectives (SGOs) Teachers without an mSGP set two SGOs Teachers with an mSGPset one or two SGOs Teacher Practice Teacher Practice Student Growth Percentile Student Growth Objectives Student Growth Objectives *pending approval of related regulations by State Board

3. SGO roles in perspective 2

4. SGO process Choose or develop a quality assessment aligned to the standards. Determine students’ starting points. With supervisor input and approval, set ambitious yet achievable student learning goals. Track progress and refine instruction accordingly. Review results and discuss score with supervisor. Step 2 Step 4 September By Oct. 31 By Feb. 15 By end of school year Step 1 Step 3 Step 5 Optional mid-year check-in Adjustments to SGOs can be made with approval 3

5. Choose or develop a quality assessment aligned to the standards In September (or before) teachers choose/developappropriate SGO assessments: 4

6. SGO process Choose or develop a quality assessment aligned to the standards. Determine students’ starting points. With supervisor input and approval, set ambitious yet achievable student learning goals. Track progress and refine instruction accordingly. Review results and discuss score with supervisor. Step 2 Step 4 September By Oct. 31 By Feb. 15 By end of school year Step 1 Step 3 Step 5 Optional mid-year check-in Adjustments to SGOs can be made with approval 5

7. Determine students’ starting points During the first two months of school, teachers invariably collect rich information about their students and can use some of it to determine their students’ starting points.

8. Determine students’ starting points (continued) During the weeks prior to setting SGO targets, teachers might consider entering information into a table, spreadsheet, or computerized gradebookto document student starting points. The teacher assigns a specific preparedness group when a majority of measures indicate a specific group using the guide at left. 7

9. SGO process Choose or develop a quality assessment aligned to the standards. Determine students’ starting points. With supervisor input and approval, set ambitious yet achievable student learning goals. Track progress and refine instruction accordingly. Review results and discuss score with supervisor. Step 2 Step 4 September By Oct. 31 By Feb. 15 By end of school year Step 1 Step 3 Step 5 Optional mid-year check-in Adjustments to SGOs can be made with approval 8

10. With supervisor input and approval, set ambitious yet achievable student learning goals. In October, teachers set learning goals for students based on the assessment chosen and student starting points and meet with supervisors to discuss. Teachers makes adjustments based on feedback and submit SGOs for final approval by October 31. 9

11. Sample Completed SGO Form, Part 1 10

12. Sample Completed SGO Form, Part 2 11

13. SGO process Choose or develop a quality assessment aligned to the standards. Determine students’ starting points. With supervisor input and approval, set ambitious yet achievable student learning goals. Track progress and refine instruction accordingly. Review results and discuss score with supervisor. Step 2 Step 4 September By Oct. 31 By Feb. 15 By end of school year Step 1 Step 3 Step 5 Optional mid-year check-in Adjustments to SGOs can be made with approval 12

14. Track progress and refine instruction accordingly. • During the SGO period (typically October to April), teachers track their student’s progress as usual. • Teachers adjust student support and instruction as needed to ensure students stay on track to meet their learning goals. • Administrators provide support to teachers through conferences as needed (possibly during observation post-conferences) • In exceptional cases, changes to SGOs are made by February 15. 13

15. SGO process Choose or develop a quality assessment aligned to the standards. Determine students’ starting points. With supervisor input and approval, set ambitious yet achievable student learning goals. Track progress and refine instruction accordingly. Review results and discuss score with supervisor. Step 2 Step 4 September By Oct. 31 By Feb. 15 By end of school year Step 1 Step 3 Step 5 Optional mid-year check-in Adjustments to SGOs can be made with approval 14

16. Review results and discuss score with supervisor At the end of the SGO period, teachers assess student progress on their learning goals with their summative assessments or portfolio and calculate SGO scores. 15

17. Review results and discuss score with supervisor. (continued). In May or June, teachers discuss scores and strategies for next year’s SGOs with their supervisors during annual conferences. 16

18. A process of growth Choose or develop a quality assessment aligned to the standards. Determine students’ starting points. With supervisor input and approval, set ambitious yet achievable student learning goals. Track progress and refine instruction accordingly. Review results and discuss score with supervisor. Step 2 Step 4 September By Oct. 31 By Feb. 15 By end of school year Step 1 Step 3 Step 5 Optional mid-year check-in Adjustments to SGOs can be made with approval Teachers’ reflections on their SGOs at the end of each year should strengthen and improve the process the following year. 17