Student learning objectives set by individual teachers and approved by principals¶

Element · All elements
Evidence · 4 claims (3 for, 1 mixed) · 1 study (1 qualitative), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 4 claims rest on one study

Description¶

The second alternative measure type profiled: student learning objectives (SLOs). The summary defines them as "determined by individual teachers, approved by principals, and used in evaluations that do not involve sophisticated statistical modeling." The report profiles how early-adopting districts use SLOs as an alternative to statistically modeled growth measures in teacher evaluation.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Objectives determined by individual teachers and approved by principals

Constraints¶

• Used in evaluations that do not involve sophisticated statistical modeling

Target Learners¶

• K-12 students in early-adopting districts

Target Learning Goals¶

• Measuring student learning objectives for teacher evaluation

Claims¶

• Among SLO districts the most frequently reported benefit was increased collaboration, while alternative assessment-based value-added models were perceived as fairer than SLOs [+W]
• Alternative student growth measures, especially student learning objectives, were used for many purposes beyond teacher evaluation [+W]
• Evidence on reliability and validity of alternative student growth measures, especially student learning objectives, is limited [~W]
• Early-adopting districts used alternative student growth measures alongside other measures in formal teacher evaluations [+W]

Related Elements¶

• Value-added models using end-of-course assessments or commercially available tests instead of state assessments

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Brian Gill, Brittany English, Joshua Furgeson, Moira McCullough. (2014). Alternative Student Growth Measures for Teacher Evaluation: Profiles of Early-Adopting Districts (Executive Summary). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, Regional Educational Laboratory Mid-Atlantic. https://www.mathematica.org/publications/alternative-student-growth-measures-for-teacher-evaluation-profiles-of-early-adopting-districts-executive-summary