In this brief, Achieve outlines a state-by-state comparison of early warning indicator systems. These systems measure aspects of 9th grade student performance to determine if students are ‘on track’ for future academic success or are at risk for dropping-out. The brief outlines how states have included these early warning ‘on track’ indicators into accountability and data efforts in their Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plans.
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Featured Resources
- Introduction to Student Learning Objectives | July 2013
- Scoring Student Learning Objectives | November 2014
- Student Learning Objectives: Considerations for Teachers of CTE Courses | October 2014
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On Track or Falling Behind? How States Include Measures of 9th Grade Performance in Their ESSA Plans
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Explore trade-offs in four common approaches to selecting assessments for student learning objectives (SLOs).
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This study by the Community Training Assistance Center, the Mid-Atlantic Comprehensive Center, and WestEd examines educators’ perceptions of the support they received in understanding and implementing SLOs as part of the new teacher and principal evaluation system in Maryland. The analysis for this report is based on interviews of superintendents and teacher union/association leaders from six districts and survey responses from teachers, principals, and other educators in nine districts.
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In this report, the Community Training and Assistance Center assessed the implementation of student learning objectives (SLOs) as part of the new teacher evaluation system in Rhode Island. The analysis in this report is based on surveys of teachers and principals in 10 districts, interviews, document review, and observation of trainings. From the findings of this study, state officials emphasized that the new evaluation and SLOs provide teachers meaningful opportunity for teaching improvement.
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Data provide a way to assess what students are learning and the extent to which students are making progress toward goals. In this paper, What Works Clearinghouse describes how data can provide educators with the information to make instructional changes to improve student achievement. The paper includes a list of recommendations for effectively using data to make instructional decisions.
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The Race to the Top Reform Support Network developed a toolkit designed to help states, districts, and schools implement student learning objectives (SLOs). This toolkit provides a step-by-step process for developing SLOs and includes examples from other districts and states that have already implemented SLOs. The paper concludes with links to resources and materials on SLOs from other states and districts.
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The New Teacher Project conducted an evaluation study of the pilot RISE evaluation system in Indiana. This report focuses on implementation challenges and successes experienced during Indiana’s pilot year.
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Incorporating student growth measures into educator evaluation systems is particularly challenging for teachers of non-tested grades and subjects. This paper provides an overview of possible measurement tools and approaches for non-tested grades and subjects and discusses some technical challenges with each of these approaches. It also recommends that states consider broadening student learning objectives as a framework for incorporating student performance into educator evaluations.
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This report from American Institutes for Research describes the benefits and challenges for implementing student learning objectives (SLOs) as student growth measures for educator evaluation. For each challenged identified, the paper provides some possible solutions from other states and districts implementing SLOs.
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In order to support SLO implementation and sustainability, states and districts can provide resources for teachers, evaluators, and student learning objective (SLO) leaders to improve the quality of SLOs, the rigor of assessments, and consistency of scoring. American Institutes for Research outlines the importance of these resources and the various implementation supports in this paper. The paper provides details on the implementation elements needed to support the rigor, comparability, and sustainability of the SLO process.
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This study from the Center for American Progress conducted teacher interviews from one district implementing a new teacher evaluation system. The study examined how teachers view the evaluation system and whether their views vary by performance level. It also explored whether and how the evaluation system influenced teaching practice.
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This report from American Institutes for Research provides guidance on how to successfully use student learning objectives (SLOs) in performance-based compensation systems. The report introduces SLOs and provides strategies for supporting the rigor, comparability, and sustainability of the SLO process. In addition, the report describes the SLO process for two performance-based compensation systems in Denver and Austin.
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This case study from The Aspen Institute describes the development and implementation of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Schools (CMS) teacher evaluation system. This paper discusses the challenges and lessons learned from the CMS initiative.
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The Community Training and Assistance Center conducted a comprehensive study of the impact of Denver Public School’s four-year Pay for Performance pilot. Teachers at the pilot schools developed two annual student learning objectives (SLOs) and received additional compensation if they met their objectives. This study examined Denver’s SLOs including their substance, quality, and relationship to student achievement.
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The Community Training and Assistance Center conducted an evaluation of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ performance-based compensation initiative, Leadership for Educators’ Advanced Performance (LEAP). This initiative introduced SLO implementation, and teachers could earn bonuses for demonstrated increases in student growth according to performance on SLOs or value-added results. This study examined whether or not the growth targets set by teachers for their SLOs were met and the relationship between the quality of each SLO and the attainment of the growth target.
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American Institutes for Research developed this paper to provide states and districts with an introduction to student learning objectives (SLOs) and the SLO development process. The paper reviews the steps necessary to develop an SLO and the SLO evaluation cycle. The appendix also includes SLO examples, a template for the analysis of student data, and an SLO checklist rubric.
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Discover helpful advice for states on creating business rules for student learning objectives, such as exceptions for students with poor attendance or teachers on leave.