Student Learning Objectives in the Technology education Classroom

1. Michael Gorleski Technology Education Mt. Hebron High Ellicott City, MD Student Learning Objectives in the Technology education Classroom

2. Changes in the State, and Changes in your County • There are three major changes at the State level that have compelled each county to make changes as well • Common core, and new curriculum for both math and reading classes • New Standardized Assessments which are reflective of common core (PARCC and Smarter Balanced) • A new teacher evaluation model which blends traditional observation methods with measures of Student Learning in the classroom

3. The New Teacher Evaluation Model High School Teacher Local Education Agency proposed objective measures of student growth and learning linked to state and/or local goals and approved by MSDE; no single measure to exceed 35% . For tested area teachers, one Student Learning Objective must include an HSA data point.

4. Our Focus Today – Student Learning Objectives (SLO’s) • By the end of today’s session, it is my hope that you will • Have a clearer understanding of what SLO’s are, and how they will be used in your evaluation • Understand how to write an SLO for your content area that is properly formatted, and reflective of the Common Core Standards • Know how to utilize software such as Microsoft Excel to assist you in the collection and organization of SLO data

5. What does an SLO Comprise? • In some counties, up to 50% (between all SLO’s) of your teacher evaluation • Skills, which are modeled by the teacher, that can be assessed through various data points taken during the school year • A rubric or some similar tool which allows data to be quantified, so student improvement can be realized • A strong correlation to Common Core Standards in Math and Literacy, STEM areas or in content

6. What a SLO should not be! • An evaluation of students “content knowledge” • A pre-test at the beginning of the year, and a post-test at the end of year which are used together to demonstrate growth • A collection of unrelated data points, using different rubrics, taken throughout a school year • Unrelated to topics or content covered by your curriculum – a SLO should be natural, not forced

7. The SLO Document (Page 1) • Is divided into several related sections The SL-Objective The Population Learning Content Instructional Interval Evidence of Growth

8. The SLO Document (Page 2) Baseline Data SLO Rationale Target Criteria for Effectiveness (does not change) Strategies

9. The SLO’s Common Rubric This Rubric will be used each time a data point is taken – it cannot change!

10. Building Your SLO • First, you have to become familiar with the Common Core Standards in Math & Literacy, STEM and those in your own content area • If one SLO is to come from content, review your official curriculum; standards will be listed somewhere in that curriculum

11. Building Your SLO continued… • Don’t reach too far; if a standard doesn’t apply directly to your content area, or doesn’t relate to a skill fundamental in your classroom – don’t use it! • Once again, assessing growth in students skills is the key; this means those skills should be modeled, and assessed on a regular basis already

12. Two Examples • One from Introduction to Engineering Design and • One from a Computer Science II class If time allows, I also have one from foundations of technology and one that could be used in Principles of Engineering In addition: record this web address and password: www.mrgorleski.com PW: SLOsamples

13. Collecting your Data • Initial data, which is collected in the first couple of weeks, is your baseline data • All other data points will be compared to the baseline data • I highly suggest that you use a program such as Microsoft Excel to record, organize and process your data! • Here is a sample excel table that I used • Use comments to reference your baseline

14. Questions? • Ask away – I will answer to the best of my ability • Additional questions: you can email be at Michael_Gorleski@hcpss.org, or go to my website to download example SLO’s * *For reference purpose – remember your SLO should be reflective of your individual teaching experience, demographics, and those skills which your students should be able to demonstrate growth in

15. Special Thanks to… • My principal: Scott Ruehl I consider him the definitive source on SLO’s – he has truly assisted me through the process • Roy Rosnick for agreeing to share his literacy SLO • The Common Core website, MSDE’s website, and HCPSS’s SLO resources • TEEAM for allowing me to present today!