What needs to be in SLOs in SC?
What assessments will be used?
What are SLOs? A student learning objectives (SLOs) is a measurable, long-term, academic goal informed by available data that a teacher or a teacher team sets at the beginning of the year for all students. (Additional SLOs may be for subgroups of students.)
Most educators are familiar with S.M.A.R.T. goals, and SLOs are similar. Although different formulations exist for the letters, generally a SMART goal is:
- Specific, strategic
- Measurable
- Action-oriented, and Attainable
- Rigorous, Reasonable, Results-Focused
- Timed and Tracked.
What needs to be in SLOs in SC? The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) has drafted an "Anatomy of an SLO" that defines the different sections, which are
- Objective
- Student Population
- Standards/Content
- Interval of Instruction
- Assessment (Pre and Post)
- Progress Monitoring
- Baseline and Trend Data
- Instructional Strategies
- Growth Targets
- Rationale
What assessments will be used? There are currently no guidelines on what assessments are appropriate for SC SLOs. Teachers, schools and districts need to inventory available assessments that might measure student growth, identify gaps, and create or purchase assessments to fill those gaps. The Reform Support Network of Race to the Top grantee states has prepared a summary of how states are approaching assessments (pp. 14-15). Other states have developed assessment lists, guidelines, and processes for SLO assessment approval.
Next up: Part III: When
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