Student Learning
Goals
(SLGs)

The Student Performance Domain requires educators to set a Student Learning Goal (SLG) to measure student learning and the impact an educator has on student learning. SLGs are not just about the goal that an educator sets for their students, but they also emphasize the process educators use to set and monitor student progress towards the desired goal. The educator collaboration and analysis required for successful SLG implementation align with effective practices more broadly.

The Student Learning Goal Process

The SLG process provides an opportunity for teachers to collaborate with other teachers and with their evaluators to set meaningful academic goals for their students. SLGs are long-term, measurable, academic goals set for students to accomplish by the end of a course. Developing an SLG includes identifying the most important learning content for the year alongside teachers of the same content area (if available), reviewing student academic and social data, setting a long-term goal for students, measuring the long-term goal along the way, and evaluating student attainment of the goal at the end of the school year. The SLG process empowers teachers to set a goal for their own students and facilitates deep collaboration between teachers and evaluators to ensure that students reach the goal.

• SLGs encourage a collaborative process. The process of developing SLGs involves collaboration among teams of teachers across grade levels or subject areas to identify the “most important” content.

• SLGs reinforce and can help formalize good teaching practice. The SLG process involves interpreting data, setting the goal, using data to assess progress, and adjusting instruction based on the data collected.

• SLGs acknowledge the value of teacher knowledge and teaching skill. Teachers have input on how student learning is measured.

• SLGs are adaptable. They are not dependent on the availability of standardized assessment scores. They can also be adjusted or revised based on changes in standards, curriculum, student population, and/or student need.