Supporting Student Outcome Measures

In teacher development and evaluation systems (TDE), there are multiple student outcome measures that play a role in the process. By law, student academic growth must be at least 35 percent of a teacher's summative evaluation. Many local plans use a goal setting process (referred to here as "Student Learning Goals" or "SLG") to meet this requirement. Local plans must also use longitudinal data on student engagement and other student outcome measures, but this requirement does not specify a percentage or weight in a teacher's summative evaluation.

It is important that local TDE systems distinguish between measures of "teacher practice" and "student outcomes." The first is focused on the actions of the adult; whereas, the second is focused on the results for the child. When student outcome measures are combined with measures of teacher practice, a more comprehensive picture of educator effectiveness is achieved.

Student Engagement

Teachers play one of the most important roles in the engagement of students, by providing rigorous and relevant instructional experiences and building relationships with students. The degree to which students are engaged can be one indicator of teacher effectiveness. Engaged students are more connected to their classroom and school and have more positive student outcomes, including higher achievement, academic growth, increased graduation rates, and several nonacademic outcomes. Student engagement measures should account for multiple sources of data over multiple points in time to have the most complete view of how students are engaged and the impact engagement has had on learning.

View a summary of the student engagement requirement, as referenced in the Minnesota Example Model for Teacher Development and Evaluation. Also, student surveys for grades 3-6 and 6-12 were piloted and revised along with the Minnesota Example Model for Teacher Development and Evaluation. These surveys are available by request. To access the surveys or ask questions, please contact mde.schoolsupport@state.mn.us.

Student Learning Goals

The most important aspect of Student Learning Goals is their potential to support educators and students in setting high expectations. Within TDE, Student Learning Goals can promote collaboration through professional learning communities or other structures, build assessment literacy, and focus educators on collecting, analyzing and using data to improve their practice.

A Student Learning Goal is a measurable, long-term, academic goal informed by available data that a teacher or teacher team sets at the beginning of the year for all students or subgroups of students. Teachers reported increased focus on student achievement and data use and increased use of evidence-based practices as a result of the SLG goal-setting process (Community Training and Assistance Center, 2013; What Works Clearinghouse, 2009).

Why use Student Learning Goals? The goals:

• Reinforce evidence-based teaching practices.
• Can be used with all teachers.
• Are adaptable.
• Encourage collaboration.
• Acknowledge the value of educator knowledge and skill.
• Connect teacher practice to student learning.

View more information about Student Learning Goals.
 

• Student Learning Goals Summary - 10/25/17
  The Student Learning Goals Summary document describes student learning goals in general and the benefits and steps in implementing SLGs.
• Student Learning Goal (SLG) Plan Expections  - 9/11/17
  The Plan Expectations document can be used by school systems to help design or refine their student learning goals system.
• Student Learning Goal (SLG) Checklist - 9/1/17
  The SLG Checklist can be used for both writing and approving SLGs. It is aligned to the SLG Cycle diagram.
• Student Learning Goal (SLG) Cycle - 9/1/17
  The SLG Cycle is a diagram that shows one way school systems could implement a student learning goals system.
• Student Learning Goal (SLG) Template - 8/29/17
  The SLG Template is an example template that school systems could use to document a student learning goals. The template is aligned to the SLG Cycle and SLG Checklist.