writing smart goals in education

SMART Goals for Teachers: 10 Examples [+ Free Template]

Teaching is a demanding profession; there’s no doubt about it. Beyond expertise in subject matter, teachers need patience, empathy, the ability to cater to diverse student needs, and more — the list goes on. The best way to achieve those important classroom components is by utilizing SMART goals for teachers. The acronym describes a checklist of criteria for setting successful goals, meaning they should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

Before embarking on SMART goals of your own, dedicate a few minutes to exploring the benefits and strategies associated with this method. Understanding SMART goals can empower educators like you to make meaningful progress for your students and advance your own career.

What Are SMART Goals for Teachers?

The SMART goal framework is intended to make your top teaching professional goals achievable. Each step of the process focuses on a crucial component of goal-setting:

• Specific: There should be no confusion when it comes to setting goals. Be clear and concise about what you want to achieve.
• Measurable: You’ll need to establish methods of tracking progress and determining when the goal is achieved.
• Achievable: Make sure your goal is achievable by considering the resources and skills you’ll need, as well as any possible challenges you could encounter.
• Relevant: Decide whether your goal is worth the time, effort, and resources required to achieve it. It should benefit either your professional development or have a direct, positive impact on students.
• Time-bound: Set a definite deadline by which you will complete the goal and hold yourself accountable to benchmarks along the way. A sense of urgency helps to keep you on track.

SMART goals are useful in many different ways, across virtually every industry. In education, SMART goals can assist with a wide range of teacher responsibilities, from guiding curriculum to acquiring new skills. SMART goals for teachers are also useful for:

• Improving teaching and learning outcomes
• Fostering professional development and career advancement opportunities
• Ensuring that resources are effectively allocated
• Keeping teachers accountable and motivated

SMART Goal Examples for Teachers

The intent of a SMART goal can be big or small, as you’ll see in the examples below. Whether you’re aiming to enhance student learning outcomes or introduce new instructional techniques, these SMART goal examples demonstrate how to make the most of your time and resources. Use them as inspiration for your own classroom :

Student achievement and engagement

• Set the goal of improving the student performance average in one subject area by a specific percentage by the end of the academic year.
• Incorporate a certain number of classroom discussions and interactive assignments

Professional development

• Enroll in a certificate course in a new methodology by the start of next semester.
• Attend a certain number of workshops or training sessions.

Technology integration

• Identify and begin using an online activity/testing system that complements the existing curriculum.
• Collaborate with colleagues to implement a technology-based project.

Parent-teacher communication

• Identify and provide resources for parents to support their childrens’ education.
• Collect feedback from parents and implement at least one change based on their needs.

Teacher well-being

• Introduce a mindfulness practice to your routine, such as a short meditation before class or breathing exercises during lunchtime.
• Set boundaries around work-life balance, such as finishing all work responsibilities by 5 p.m. twice per week.

How to Create Smart Goals for Teachers

Creating SMART goals is easier than you might think because the concept can be applied to nearly every aspect of education. Use these steps to set your own SMART goals.

• Identify a specific objective. Get granular about what you want to improve, for example, increasing student engagement and participation.
• Make your goal measurable and achievable. Instead of aiming to improve student performance across all subject areas, focus on the student performance average in science by 5%.
• Decide how long it will take and what resources will be needed. Can your goal be achieved in a semester, or is it wiser to utilize the entire academic year for noticeable results? Ensure access to all required resources before starting.
• Establish a system to garner feedback and input from colleagues, parents, students, anyone close to the objective. Regular meetings or surveys could prove to be useful.
• Research and select professional development opportunities , such as an online education certificate program, workships, or conferences.
• Put it into practice, diving into the work you’ve committed to. Implement feedback as you work through your plan.
• Reflect and revise as you go in order to make changes as necessary. There could be important lessons for future goal-setting, regardless of whether you meet your current goal.

Download our SMART goals template to help you stay on track >

Remember that every journey toward professional growth and student success is different, but you can optimize your efforts by implementing the SMART goals method discussed here.

The University of San Diego’s 100% online Continuing Education for Teachers certification program was created with working professionals in mind. Get inspired by other lifelong learners who are taking advantage of self-development and salary advancement opportunities today.

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38 Examples of SMART Goals for Students

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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The SMART Goals framework, also written as S.M.A.R.T Goals or SMART Objectives, is a template for setting specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based goals.

While originally used in leadership and corporate management, the framework is now extensively used in education to help students to set personal and academic goals for themselves.

The following examples of SMART goals for students show how students can set achievable goals by following the five elements of the framework.

SMART Goals Example

For the SMART framework, a student should set one goal that meets five clear criteria. The goal should be:

• Specific – Be clear about exactly what the goal is and what will be done to achieve it. Consider giving details about what, when, where, why, and how.
• Measurable – Make sure you have a way to assess whether you have achieved your goal.
• Attainable – State how you believe reaching the goal is within your power.
• Relevant – State how the goal will help you to meet your overall goals as a student.
• Time-Based – You need to set a time by which you will complete your goal to keep yourself accountable.

SMART Goals Template for Students

The student should write down their goal in a quote above the table then enter an explanation of how their goal is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based.

Get the Google Docs Template Here

Goal: Write your goal above the table. Carefully think about your goal and fill out the sentence with details that will ensure that it is S.M.A.R.T.

SMART Goals for Students

1. get an a in my next essay.

“I will get an A in my current essay in my Psychology class.”

2. Improve my Research Skills

“I will improve my research skills by using library resources and taking notes from the recommended readings for my course. I will do this every Friday afternoon for 3 weeks. I will aim for a subjective statement on my end-of-semester feedback about my research skills.”

3. Type at 60 Words per Minute

“I will learn to type at 60 words per minute within two months.”

4. Study 5 Days a Week for 5 Weeks

“I will study for my math class for one hour each afternoon Monday to Friday for 5 weeks.”

5. Improve my Productivity

“I will improve my productivity by using a Pomodoro timer when studying and closing all other tabs on my computer. I will do this every time I study for 2 months.”

6. Improve my Focus

“I will improve my focus during class this term by leaving my phone in my bag, sitting alone instead of with friends, and ensuring I turn up well-hydrated and rested.”

7. Memorize 100 flashcards within 3 weeks

“I will create a deck of 100 flashcards related to my Spanish course and memorize all 100 flashcards within 3 weeks by spending 20 minutes per day on the task.”

8. Complete my Assigned Book for Class

“I will finish reading the book that has been assigned by my teacher within 5 weeks.”

9. Obtain the Confidence to Give a Public Speech

“I will obtain the confidence to give a public speech by practicing speaking from note cards in front of a mirror and friends for the next 3 weeks.”

10. Re-Submit my Essay for a Higher Grade

“I will use the feedback provided on my essay to re-submit for a higher grade within the 2-week timeframe I have been given by my teacher.”

11. Follow a Study Calendar for the Next 5 Weeks

“I will use a study calendar that states when and what I should study. I will do this for 5 days a week for 5 weeks.”

12. Borrow One Book per Month from the Library

“I will borrow one book per month from the library for six months and read it fully in order to deepen my knowledge of sociology for my sociology class.”

13. Complete my Assignments 2 Weeks Before Due Date

“I will complete all assignments 2 weeks before the due dates so I have 2 weeks of free time to edit the work without stress.”

14. Maintain a Study Journal for 15 Weeks

“I will keep a daily study journal Monday to Friday for 15 weeks that will record what I studied, notes on key things I need to revise, and how long I studied. This will help me reflect on my improvement over time.”

15. Minimize Study Stress

“I will minimize the amount of stress I’m experiencing by exercising an hour a day, only studying for a maximum of one hour per day, and meditating for 15 minutes after each study session. I will do this for 5 weeks.”

SMART Goals Examples for High School Students

16. apply for five colleges.

“I will apply for five colleges within 3 months.”

17. Go to Four University Open Days

“I will go to four university open days within the next 2 months to learn more about the universities and see which one I would prefer.”

18. Study for an Hour Before Class Daily

“I will study for one hour between 8 am and 9 am daily before class Monday to Friday. I will study for the class that I will be sitting that day and keep a journal of progress.”

19. Maintain a Regular Sleep Routine

“I will sleep for 9 hours a day by making sure I get into bed by 10 pm every night and set an alarm for 7 am each morning. This will keep me fresh for classes.”

20. Research Five Potential Career Options

“I will spend 3 hours every Thursday night researching a potential career option for 5 weeks straight. At the end of the 5th week, I will rank all the career options based on my research.”

21. Have Three Meetings with my Careers Advisor 

“I will book in three meetings with my careers advisor over the next six months to check in and re-evaluate my thoughts about what I want to do after I finish high school.”

SMART Goals Examples for University Students

22. decide upon a major for my degree.

“I will lock in a major with my advisor by the end of the month and select the appropriate courses for next semester.”

23. Meet Each Instructor in Open Office Hours Once per Semester

“I will meet each of my instructors during their open office hours on Week 8 of the semester to go over my essay drafts.”

24. Meet with my Advisor for Feedback on my Progress 3 Times per Year

“I will meet with my advisor to check in on my progress in my degree 3 times this year. I will meet her in March, July, and September.”

25. Attend One Library Skills Seminar per Month

“I will attend one library skills seminar per month until I have attended all the training sessions they have on offer. This should take 6 months and help me incrementally develop my academic skills.”

26. Meet with my Study Group Weekly All Semester

“I will meet with my study group at 2.30 pm every Tuesday in the library for one hour to compare notes about our studies. We will also meet to check each other’s drafts during this period when necessary.”

27. Complete All Homework Tasks by Wednesday each Week

“I will complete my homework tasks by Wednesday each week this semester. To do this, I will remain at the university library on Tuesdays from 12 noon onwards.”

28. Turn up to Class on Time

“I will turn up to class five minutes before class begins for the entire semester in order to change my habit of being late. To make this happen, I will take the 8.05 am bus each morning.”

29. Apply for Five Summer Internships

“I will apply for five summer internships by the end of next week.”

See more SMART internship goals here.

30. Apply for Five Part-Time Jobs in my Career Field

“I will apply for five part-time jobs in my career field by the end of next week.”

31. Write 400 Words per Day for my Essay

“I will write 400 words per day for 5 days to get my first draft of my essay complete.”

SMART Goals Examples for Online Students

32. post five forum responses per week.

“I will log into my online course between 4 pm and 5 pm each weekday to read a forum task and post a 100-word response on the discussion board. I will continue this for the rest of the semester.”

33. Re-watch my Online Lectures and Take Notes for my Essay

“I will re-watch the eight one-hour online lectures for my course. I will watch one per day between 9 am and 10 am and take notes daily on anything relevant to the essay I’m writing.”

34. Reply to Three other People’s Forum Comments per Week

“I will reply to three forum comments on my online discussion board per week for the next three weeks in order to engage with other students in my class.”

SMART Goals Examples for International and Exchange Students

35. speak only in spanish for a whole day.

“I will speak only in Spanish for the whole day during my exchange at Barcelona University.”

See a Full List of Communication Goals Here

36. Apply for an Exchange Scholarship by May 1st

“I will apply for an exchange scholarship to get funding to go to Barcelona for a semester. This application will be a 1000 word essay and completed by May 1st.”

37. Join a Cultural Club at my new Unviersity

“I will join one cultural club at my university by the end of the social club sign-up day tomorrow.”

38. Apply for a Work Visa for after I Graduate so I can Stay Here

“My goal is to apply for a work visa by 5 pm on the 30th of December so I can stay in the country after I have completed my degree.”

The SMART framework is valuable when setting educational goals because it helps you to articulate exactly what your goal is. The five criteria within the framework will force students to set goals that can be clearly explained and are achievable. By setting SMART goals, students can see greater levels of success whether it’s short-term goals or long-term goals and have a clearer idea about what they need to do to meet their goals.

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5 thoughts on “38 Examples of SMART Goals for Students”

I have tried it before but soon forgot about it, which means I have made my calendar or schedule with a goal on top and worked toward it, and then I forgot to do it again for my next semester’s class. but it does not hurt trying again one more time.

This method is useful and essential. That why I have been using it since high school.

This method is very significant in my study I have been using it.

This method is essential and productive, i still use it even today to achieve my goals.

One of the best online learning articles I have come across. Rarely give comments at over 69yrs and a lot working in education. But you are clear, and straight to the point. Good job! Recommended.

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10 SMART Goals Examples for Education and Educators

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Goal setting is an ongoing and adaptive process. Educators should try to recognize emerging patterns and use this new or revised information to refine their current goals. 

Summer, for educators, is often a useful time to reflect on outcomes from the previous school year. For me, it is the time of the academic cycle when I get to begin to plan for upcoming changes that will help me meet my personal and classroom goals for the next school year.

If you are new to setting teaching goals , it can be challenging to determine where to start this process and how to prioritize next year’s goals and objectives. We’re here to help.

Table of Contents

What are SMART Goals?

SMART goals are those objectives that have been well-thought-out , and because you have taken the time (and put in the effort), SMART goals tend to have a higher chance of success.  

The acronym SMART refers to a framework that offers advice on how to set these SMART goals but also what these goals should entail. Like most objectives, SMART goals are divided into three categories –

• Short-term Goals – those that you plan to reach in the next three months or so.
• Long-term Goals – those that represent objectives in your and more distant future.
• Lifetime Goals – primary goals which you reach for during your life.

SMART goal setting is commonly attributed to what was first introduced as a managerial concept by Peter Drucker, with the introduction of the concept known as Management By Objectives. However, SMART goals, as a concept, was first used by George Doran in an issue of Management Issue (November 1981).

Defining the SMART Acronym

SMART goals  for education professionals refer to objectives that meet these defined standards:

• S pecific Goals (Simple, Significant & Sensible)

SMART goals must be clear and understandable. 

• M easurable Goals (Motivating & Meaningful)

SMART goals must be able to establish criteria against which you can measure both progress and completion.

• A ttainable Goals (Agreed-upon, Achievable)

SMART goals are attainable, which means they result in mastery rather than frustration.

• R ealistic (Relevant, Reasonable, Results-based & Resourced)

SMART goals must represent an objective that you believe you can achieve.

• T ime-bound (Time-sensitive, Time-limited)

SMART goals need a timeframe as this creates a sense of accountability. A tangible goal is specific and quantifiable.

How SMART Goals Help Teachers & Other Education Professionals

Educators and teachers will find they receive the following benefits when using  SMART goals  for education –

• Student relationships and communications improve.
• Significantly increase students’ motivation.
• Support and encouragement for professional development.
• Improved student performance results.

And as an added benefit, as I became a more goal-oriented, supportive educator, students began to shift their view of my approachability . They began to feel comfortable enough to seek my help when in need, which helped develop more established relationships.

Setting Your Own SMART Goals

A study by Dr. Heather Camp conducted at Minnesota State University found that a teacher or educator’s goals usually fall into one of four categories –

• Improving classroom organization
• Making the most of class time
• Raising student engagement
• Strengthening student discussion

These four broad categories offer a great starting point for those new to SMART goals. Begin by creating a SMART goal to help improve your classroom organization, hopefully encouraging the optimization of the time spent in the classroom.

10 SMART Goals for Education Professionals in 2023

From a general perspective, teaching goals fall into one of four categories. They seek to:

• Enhance a classroom’s organization.
• Optimize/maximize class time.
• Increase student engagement in classroom work more regularly.
• Reinforce student discussion. 

Here are some prime examples to get you started.

1. Read a Classic Novel

Reading is an important life skill . Learning to love reading is a gift every student should receive.

“By [a specific/relevant date], I will start reading [a classic novel] with my students to encourage a love and appreciation of reading while helping to expand their vocabulary.”

S – The goal is specific and to the point.

M – The book defines the measurement of the goal.

A – This is an achievable goal for a qualified teacher.

R – Helping students appreciate reading and increasing their vocabulary is relevant to their learning and growth.

T – The timeframe can be adjusted to meet the needs of the students, or the time permitted to read the book.

2. Understand my Students Better

“ By [a specific/relevant date], I will actively engage with my students to ask questions, listen and reflect/consider their perspective to better understand these young adults.”

S – The goal is specific – engage with students to better understand their perspective.

M – Each conversation you have is a measurable component of this SMART goal.

A – The attainability is simply achieved by starting conversations with students.

R – This goal is relevant as it seeks to enhance your capability as an educator.

T – The start date would usually be the beginning of school or a new term. This type of smart goal does not need a specific end date other than the end of the school year.

3. Begin a Fundraiser

Students are often inspired by those who display the right attitude and passion for any charitable cause. A teacher, in this sense, is a role model, demonstrating the values and traits they should reach for if they live happy and successful lives beyond their school years. This helps teach children how to think, not simply memorize information for a test.

“By [a specific/relevant date], I want to begin a fundraiser in my classes to raise $XXX throughout the year to donate to a local charity.”

S – Your goal specifically notes that the goal is a fundraiser for a local charity.  

M – Every dollar donated is a measurable component toward the total objective.  

A – This SMART goal is both achievable and attainable. 

R – This type of charitable goal helps to raise the awareness levels of students for those who are less fortunate. It offers a chance to do something good while learning about the real world and those who struggle within their city, state, and country.

T – The timeframe is the entire school year.

4. Organize Classroom Files

“By [a specific/relevant date], I will go through the pile of folders in my desk, prioritize what is needed, and throw out/shred old materials and files.”

S – The specificity of this goal is apparent.

M – This goal is measurable; it begins with a set number of papers and files.

A – Every time you throw out unwanted and extra papers, you are one step closer to reaching your goal.

R – Staying organized as a teacher helps you spend your time teaching, not looking for something.

T – You establish the set date to give your goal a deadline and timeframe.

5. Make Learning Fun

Learning takes on a new dimension by morphing worksheets into games and turning lessons into experiments. In addition, if possible, take the classroom outside and ask your students for input and feedback.  Learning should be fun , and because we were all once a student, take a moment and put yourself in your student’s shoes to reimagine how to make learning fun.

“By [a specific/relevant date], I will begin to make changes to classroom schedules – to make things fun and interesting by mixing up games, projects, worksheets, and lectures.”  

S – The goal is simple, change up the lessons and schedules to keep things new, fresh, and interesting. 

M – Every smile or giggle heard is a measurable part of making learning fun.

A – Expanding your use of educational options easily makes learning new and different.

R – Because students tend to be open and learn more while laughing and having fun, this educator's goal is relevant and could even be considered essential.

T – The timeframe can be reset every week as long as your students continue to smile and learn.

6. Enroll in a Professional or Self-Improvement Class

Professionalism in teaching is an important aspect. As you grow, it is important to stay connected to the incredibly large role and influence a teacher plays in a student’s development – educationally and psychologically. Improving one’s patience, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills can help foster an inclusive and accepting classroom environment.

“By [a specific/relevant date], I will have enrolled in an on-campus or online educational course designed to enhance my teaching abilities and skills as an educator.”

S – This goal is to refine your teaching abilities and skills.

M – Completing the class is the measurement that would be used to determine the achievement of this goal. Note that self-reflection regarding what you have learned is also a measurement that determines achievement.  

A – Attending a nearby or online class makes this goal achievable.  

R – There are only a few things more relevant to a professional educator than improving your teaching skills.

T – The educational course has a defined timeframe, which established this goal’s time limitation.

7. Avoid Teacher Burnout

Burnout is inevitable in most jobs but can be rampant in the world of teaching. Taking the necessary time to care for your own needs (including life’s stressors) is an integral part of becoming (and staying) an effective educator. In a hectic, modern world, finding time to take care of yourself takes focus and effort – but it is incredibly important. You can’t give away what you don’t have – in other words, if you have lost patience with yourself, it is quite challenging to remain patient with anyone else.

The reality is that when you take care of yourself, you will become happier, and that joy comes forth in your personal and professional life.

“By [a specific/relevant date], I will seek to avoid teacher burnout by rearranging my schedule to create at least an hour a week devoted to something that makes me happy or fills my soul.”

S – Avoiding teacher burnout is a specific goal.  

M – Each week, when you have done something for yourself, you will have a measurable component of the objective.

A – The goal is achievable because taking time for yourself only requires your attention and focus. 

R – This objective is quite relevant to an educator’s job.

T – The short-term timeframe is once a week. As a life objective, taking time for yourself should be ongoing.

8. Allow Students More Autonomy Over Learning in the Classroom

While some teachers have reservations about releasing classroom control, the reality is that releasing a tight grip may be beneficial as it begins to give students some control over their own learning. This leads to self-confidence, mastery, and pride in their work. This newfound independence (if only limited) also offers students a more defined sense of purpose and increases motivation.

“By [a specific/relevant date], I will begin to slowly release a bit of control in the classroom once each week and allow students to have more say in their learning environment.”

S – The goal is to release limited classroom control slowly and methodically to students.

M – The student’s performance and behavior are easy measurements of the outcome’s success. Monitor classroom interaction and ask for feedback to gain even more insight. 

A – A teacher has the ultimate decision as to who controls the classroom, so this is an achievable objective.

R – Student learning is the relevant goal.

T – The timeframe begins with once a week but can be modified to meet current classroom needs. 

9. Reach Out to Parents

Most educators recognize the great value parents can have in their children’s educational lives. I have invited those parents who wish to become more involved in the classroom when and where it fits the curriculum. Take the time to reach out to parents and encourage them to volunteer or invite them to classroom events. It is also helpful to assign a family project to students in which they can ask their families for assistance.

 “By [a specific/relevant date], I will reach out to at least ten parents by phone or email about upcoming class projects, events, and volunteering opportunities.” 

S – Reaching out to a minimum of ten parents is the state objective. 

M – When a parent responds, this becomes a measurable part of the objective. Then you can measure the number of parents who attend each month as another metric to determine the amount of your success in meeting this goal.

A – This goal simply requires a desire to do it.

R – This goal is relevant to the overall classroom and specific student success.

T – The time is easily measured by counting how many parents take advantage of your invite every month. 

10. Improve Focus & Reduce Distraction

 “By [a specific/relevant date], I will stop checking emails/texts during instruction time to help raise student involvement.”

S – The goal is NOT to check email or texts. 

M – Every time you fight the urge to check, you are closer to your stated goal.

A – This goal is not only attainable; it should be a priority.

R – This goal is quite relevant as it provides more time and focus on instruction.

T – Check in with yourself at the end of the school day to see how successful you have been. 

Final Thoughts on SMART Goals for Education and Educators

Ever wonder about the difference between a dream and a goal? At its most basic, the difference between these two concepts is that a goal includes accountability and a timeline, whereas a dream does not .

This helps to explain why and how setting and implementing SMART goals allows you to create an action plan to achieve your defined goal.

Remember, anyone can improve if they truly want to make an effort to better themselves. Applying the above tips and techniques will help you give your students your best as an educator – dedicated to molding the next generation's minds.

And if you're looking for more examples of SMART goals for educators, check these blog posts:

• 8 SMART Goals Examples for a Physical Education (PE) Class
• 11 SMART Goals Examples for Special Education Teachers
• 10 SMART Goals Examples for an IEP (Individualized Education Program)

Finally, if you want to take your goal-setting efforts to the next level, check out this FREE printable worksheet and a step-by-step process that will help you set effective SMART goals .

SMART Goals for Teachers: Examples & Free Goal Template

Written by Jordan Nisbet

Help inspire your students to love learning with Prodigy's online learning platform.

• Inspiration
• Teacher Resources
• What are SMART goals?
• Teacher SMART goal examples
• How Prodigy can help you accomplish your teacher goals

Setting goals is a powerful way to advance through a career in education. After all, the modern foundation of education is to guide students through a goal-based curriculum.

But for many educators, goal-setting can be difficult because:

• You don't have time to set them
• Your goals don't motivate or challenge you
• Your goals don't get you where you want to be
• You don't know if you can realistically achieve them
• You can't clearly tell when you've reached your goal

If you feel you're in this situation, don't worry. The SMART goal setting rubric can help. This research-backed approach takes general, broad aspirations and turns them into specific goals that you know you contribute to your long-term plans.

Let's dive into how it works and the many teacher-made examples of SMART goals you can use for inspiration. Plus, we've even got a free SMART goal planning template for you too!

What are SMART goals for teachers?

They’re not just goals that sound, look or feel smart. SMART goals refer to a goal-setting system that increases your ability to accomplish goals.

SMART is an acronym for:

• S pecific — Does your goal target a specific area for improvement?
• M easurable — Can you accurately measure your goal?
• A chievable — Is your goal realistic?
• R elevant — Is the goal relevant to your profession?
• T ime-bound — Does your goal have a specific timeline?

Scroll down for more detail on each part of a SMART goal (and examples from teachers)!

The clearer the better! Leadership guru Robin Sharma believes “ clarity breeds mastery . The goals you set drive the actions you’ll take.” And there’s a reason for that…What sounds SMARTer?

• I will lose weight.
• I will lose 10 pounds by December 1, 2023 by cutting out dessert during the week and going on brisk walks for one hour every day.

The latter, right? In order to create specific teacher goals that will target and trigger real change, ask yourself the 5W’s:

• Who is involved?
• Where is it located?
• Why is it important?
• What do I want to accomplish?
• Which limitations or resources are involved?

While most SMART goals are focused on the short term, you may also want to make your long-term goals specific too. That way, you'll know how you're progressing.

Check out the bolded parts of the example SMART goal below to see how it satisfies each section:

Example:   By May 2024, my 5th grade students will improve their language conventions writing score by 7 percentage points, from 63% to 70% proficient.

Make your teacher goals measurable so you can keep track of progress.

How many? How much? What number do I need to hit to accomplish this goal?

These are all questions that will help you create more measurable goals.

Plus, updating your progress week to week or month to month will fill you with motivation to keep working toward your teacher SMART goals!

Example: By May 2024, my 5th grade students will improve their language conventions writing score by 7 percentage points, from 63% to 70% proficient .

How can you accomplish your teacher goals? Are there any constraints that may keep you from accomplishing your goals? Answering these questions will help determine how achievable your teacher goals are.

Just like you do for your students, make sure the goals keep you within a zone of proximal development. Teacher SMART goals should be achievable, not unattainable.

Example: By May 2020, my 5th grade students will improve their language conventions writing score by 7 percentage points , from 63% to 70% proficient.

Part of having SMART teacher goals is keeping those goals relevant. Does your goal matter to you? Will it matter to your students? Will it matter to your school?

For example, if your school has an overarching goal to increase math scores, at least one of your teacher SMART goals should align with that.

Not sure if your teacher goals are relevant? Ask yourself these questions:

• Is it the right time?
• Is this goal worthwhile?
• Does it align with current efforts or needs?

Example: By May 2024, my 5th grade students will improve their language conventions writing score by 7 percentage points, from 63% to 70% proficient.

Without an end date, goals turn into tasks that are easy to put off — day after day, week after week, month after month. When you make teacher SMART goals, make sure they’re set to a timeframe.

Ask yourself when you’d like to accomplish your goal. Let’s say you want to achieve it by the end of the term. Once you establish a target date, consider what you can do today, four weeks from now and two months from now that will allow you to cross that goal off your list.

Making time-bound goals can help you feel accountable for short-term goals, reduce procrastination and feel motivated.

Example: By May 2024 , my 5th grade students will improve their language conventions writing score by 7 percentage points, from 63% to 70% proficient.

How to create professional goals for teachers (that are SMART)

Teacher SMART goals are easier to create than you’d think. We’ll summarize how to think about each part of a SMART goal, but make sure you download the free teacher goals template below!

Not sure if your goal is SMART? Ask yourself these questions:

Strategic — What goal are you trying to accomplish? Why?

Measurable — What’s your intended outcome? How will you know you’ve achieved your goal?

Achievable — Is your goal realistic? What actions will you put in place to ensure you achieve it?

Relevant — How does your goal align with your role as an educator?

Time-bound — What’s the timeline? When would you like to achieve your goal by?

Download your free template: How to Create Teacher SMART Goals Without Fear of Failure (in 5 Simple Steps)

40 Examples of SMART goals for teachers

Here are 40 examples of SMART goals for teachers, grouped by areas of professional growth.

Student achievement and student learning

• By the end of the semester, 80% of my students will demonstrate an improvement of at least one grade level in their mathematics skills, as measured by standard assessment tests.
• Improve average student performance on standardized English language tests by 15% by the end of the academic year.
• Increase the proportion of students achieving grade-level reading proficiency by 20% by the end of the academic year, as measured by district assessments.
• Ensure that 90% of students pass the end-of-course exams in science by May next year.
• Achieve a 10% improvement in the class's average score on history projects by the end of the second semester.

Classroom management

• Implement a new system of classroom rules and behavioral expectations by the end of the first month of the semester, with 90% of students demonstrating understanding and compliance.
• Decrease classroom disruptions by 30% by the end of the second quarter, as documented in daily logs.
• Ensure that all students are actively participating in classroom discussions at least once per week by the end of the first semester.
• Implement a new strategy for time management in the classroom, reducing off-task time by 20% by the end of this academic year.
• Improve classroom tidiness and organization, with no more than one incident of lost materials per week by the end of the second semester.

Teacher professional development

• Complete a professional development course on instructional strategies for special education by the end of this school year.
• Attend at least one conference on digital game-based learning in the classroom environment within the next six months.
• Read and implement at least one new teaching strategy from a professional teaching journal each month.
• Achieve a score of proficient or better in all areas on the next performance evaluation.
• Co-author and publish a research paper on innovative teaching methods by the end of the next academic year.

Parent-teacher relationships

• Implement a system of regular communication with parents, providing bi-weekly updates by email or phone call throughout the school year.
• Increase parent participation in parent-teacher meetings by 25% by the end of the school year.
• Develop and distribute a monthly class newsletter to keep parents informed about classroom activities, starting from next month.
• Organize at least two class events per semester where parents are invited to participate.
• Achieve a 90% satisfaction rate in parent feedback surveys regarding communication and involvement by the end of this school year.

Use of technology

• Incorporate Prodigy Math in at least one math lesson per week to enhance student engagement, starting from the second month of the semester.
• Implement a new learning management system for the class with 100% of students using it proficiently by the end of the school year.
• Develop a set of five interactive online quizzes or activities for each major unit in the curriculum by the end of the year.
• Increase the use of educational apps in the my students learning environment by 50% by the end of this academic year.
• Complete an online course on digital literacy or instructional technology within the next six months.

Lesson planning

• Develop a bank of 50 creative, standards-aligned lesson plans for my ELA lessons, with at least 10 incorporating multimedia, by the end of this academic year.
• Design and implement at least one differentiated lesson per unit to accommodate learners at different levels, with a goal of reaching all students effectively by the end of the first semester.
• Use student feedback to refine and improve at least one lesson plan per month, aiming for a 10% increase in student satisfaction with lesson quality by the end of this academic year.
• Collaborate with at least two different subject teachers to create and implement five interdisciplinary lessons that foster connections between different academic subjects by the end of the school year.
• Design lessons with embedded formative assessments in every unit of study, increasing the frequency of student progress monitoring by 20% by the end of the second semester.

Teaching social emotional learning (SEL)

• Implement a dedicated 15-minute SEL activity or lesson at least three times per week, aiming for a 25% improvement in students' self-reported mood and behavior by the end of this school year.
• Develop and implement a classroom behavior management system based on SEL principles, aiming to decrease disruptive behaviors by 30% as recorded in classroom behavior logs by the end of the second semester.
• Improve students' conflict resolution skills by incorporating role-playing scenarios into lessons at least twice a month, with the goal of reducing peer conflicts by 20% by the end of the school year.
• Use an SEL assessment tool like the Devereux Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA) to measure students' social and emotional competencies three times throughout the school year (beginning, middle, end), aiming to see a 15% overall growth in scores.
• Complete a professional development course or workshop focused on SEL teaching strategies by the end of the academic year, with the goal of implementing at least three new SEL strategies in the classroom.

Bonus: 10 SMART Goals made by teachers

We also asked Prodigy’s teacher users to share some of their teaching goals for personal and professional development . We got over 100 responses, so here’s a shortlist of some of our favorites!

• Planning twice weekly to improve math scores on word problems by April 30. — Jennifer Freel
• At least 70% of my students will achieve mastery of the power standards identified for each math unit as measured by the unit tests. — Heather Freeman
• I will give students at least 10 minutes of Prodigy time at least three times a week until April. — Leanne Brown
• To complete the report due for my National Professional Qualification for Middle Leadership course by one week prior to the final deadline. — Christina Wright
• My professional goal is to keep a journal and record my thoughts on lessons two or three times a week. My journal will be evidence of this. — Rebecca Kilver
• To have 50% of parents connected to their child’s Prodigy account and be assigning goals by June. — Kristina Vantassel
• Find a job-share classroom for next school year by the district deadline and organize 90% of my desk (at home) by January 13th. — Mrs. Cho
• My professional goal is to complete my Master’s in counseling by Spring. — Jennifer Thompson
• My personal goal is to leave work before 3:30 to spend more time with my family on four out of five workdays. — Michelle Tysinger
• Implement more STEAM activities and organize the school library by the end of May. — Monica Loas

As you can tell, it doesn't necessarily matter how you word your achievable goal. Some teachers prefer to make it more casual and easier to follow, while others prefer a professional approach to their goal-setting methods. What matters most is making sure your goal is time-bound, attainable and measurable.

How Prodigy can help you set (and stick to) your teacher goals

There are lots of online resources that you can access to make sure your professional goals are a success —  including Prodigy !

Prodigy Math is a game-based, adaptive math platform for students in 1st to 8th grade. While students set out exploring an exciting fantasy world and answering math questions, you can use your free teacher tools to:

• Send assessments — Whether you're prepping for a standardized test, sending homework or looking at student skills, Prodigy's assessments features offer ways to customize the content students see as they play and the insights you get.
• Motivate students — Classroom challenges are a great way to encourage students to answer more questions and reward their hard work! Set a challenge in your teacher dashboard and check back in to see the top three students with the most correct answers.
• Collect insights — As students play, Prodigy automatically collects information on their strengths and weaknesses. Instead of hours spent grading, you'll have more information to support your lesson planning and more time to spend on what really matters: teaching.

So if your goals are to help students have a fun math experience, or deliver three formative assessments before the end of your unit, Prodigy can help you do that in a touch of a button!

And the best bit? Educators get full access for free!

See how it works below:

Ready to set your SMART goals?

This SMART roadmap will place you leaps and bounds ahead of the curve.

Now you can set own goals with more confidence and clarity, in a way that will have a real impact on your calling as an educator.

So here's your challenge: Download your free SMART goals template and craft one strategic, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound SMART goal that you will commit to for the next three months. Good luck — you can do this!

Sign up for your free Prodigy teacher account today to access tools for differentiation, get student insights and help your class love learning math. Created for students in 1st to 8th grade, Prodigy Math is aligned to curricula in the United States and around the world.

What are you waiting for? Join today!

Setting SMART Teaching Goals for Next School Year

By andy minshew.

• June 18, 2020

Summer can be a useful time to reflect on the previous school year and make a plan for changes or improvements you want to see next year. But determining where to start and what accomplishments you’d like to reach can be tough—especially if you’ve never set specific teaching goals.

In this article, we’ll explore how setting goals can shape your career for the better—and improve your connection with your students, too. Then, we’ll show you how to set SMART goals as positive and measurable targets for improvement.

Why Should You Set Specific Teaching Goals for the Year?

Educators who make a goal to improve their teaching skills report a greater interest in their career as well as a more positive teacher self-image.[4] A survey of teachers who set goals for themselves also found that, by the end of the school year, they were more likely to feel that they had improved as a teacher.[8]

Setting goals can also boost your relationship with your students and their classroom performance. For example, when teachers set student-teacher relationship goals, their students were more likely to report viewing their teacher as a support and someone they were comfortable asking for help.[1,5] And when teachers set mastery-related goals, their students’ motivation improved significantly.[2]

Additionally, goal-setting can be especially crucial for teachers who are just beginning or early in their careers.[4] In these situations, the goals you set can help you define and shape what you want to achieve as a teacher. And at the end of each school year, you’ll also have a list of measurable accomplishments to remind yourself how you’re growing throughout your career.

Goal-setting is great for both your professional development and your students’ progress.. But deciding to set goals is only half the story. Equally important is learning how to set strong, measurable goals that will help you grow as an educator over the school year.

How to Set SMART and Effective Teacher Goals

When choosing goals for yourself, use the SMART goal framework to work on issues that matter the most to you and improve your likelihood of success. SMART goals are defined as those that meet the following criteria:[7]

Here’s an example of a SMART goal for a teacher: suppose that you want to improve the quality and frequency of your classroom discussions. You could set a goal to have discussions every week (Specific, Achievable) for the rest of the school year (Time-bound, Measurable) on a subject your class is studying (Relevant). The SMART goal criteria are flexible enough that you can mold them to your specific interests as a teacher to make sure you’re hitting the areas where you most want to improve.

Additionally, teaching students how to make SMART goals is shown to effectively improve their academic progress and provide them with ways to measure their own success.[6] Once you’ve tried setting SMART goals for yourself, consider using them to help your students grow through the school year as well.

Keep in mind, however, that SMART goal-setting works best when used as a format rather than a strict set of rules.[9] You may need to adapt them in some ways to meet your own needs or those of your students. If you want to set a goal for yourself that will exceed this school year, for example, the way you define “time-bound” may need to be more flexible. But as long as you use the SMART acronym as your guide, you’re more likely to set effective goals that will help you improve.

Stuck Choosing a Teaching Goal? Here Are a Few Resources to Get You Started

Not sure where to start for setting your own SMART goals? A study conducted by Dr. Heather Camp at Minnesota State University found that teaching goals usually fall into one of four categories:[8]

• Improving classroom organization
• Making the most of class time
• Raising student engagement
• Strengthening student discussion

Because these are commonly reported as areas where teachers want to improve, they may give you a starting place for your own goals this year. For more ideas, check out this list of sample teaching goals put together by the Stanford University Teaching Commons. It includes ideas like inspiring students or mentoring young intellects. These might give you more suggestions for your own goals.

If none of these are areas you’d like to focus on, try reflecting on the previous school year. If you could have done one thing differently, what would it be? This might give you a helpful starting point for next year’s goals. And if all else fails, try discussing potential goals with a colleague or friend to nail down a plan for improvement.

• Butler, R. Striving to connect: Extending an achievement goal approach to teacher motivation to include relational goals for teaching. Journal of Educational Psychology, 104(3), 2012, pp. 726–742.
• Schiefele, U., and Schaffner, E. Teacher interests, mastery goals, and self-efficacy as predictors of instructional practices and student motivation. Contemporary Educational Psychology, July 2015, 42, pp. 159-171.
• Mansfield, C.F., and Beltman, S. Teacher motivation from a goal content perspective: Beginning teachers’ goals for teaching. International Journal of Educational Research, 2014, 65, pp. 54-64.
• Paulick, I., Retelsdorf, J., and Möller, J. Motivation for choosing teacher education: Associations with teachers’ achievement goals and instructional practices. International Journal of Educational Research, 2013, 61, pp. 60-70.
• Butler, R., and Shibaz, L. Striving to connect and striving to learn: Influences of relational and mastery goals for teaching on teacher behaviors and student interest and help seeking. International Journal of Educational Research, 2014, 65, pp. 41-53.
• O’Neill, J. SMART Goals, SMART Schools. Educational Leadership, February 2000, 57(5), pp. 46-50.
• The University of California. SMART Goals: A How-To Guide. Retrieved from ucop.edu: https://www.ucop.edu/local-human-resources/_files/performance-appraisal/How%20to%20write%20SMART%20Goals%20v2.pdf.
• Camp, H. Goal Setting as Teacher Development Practice. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 2017, 29(1), pp. 61-72.
• Bjerke, M.B., & Renger, R. Being smart about writing SMART objectives. Evaluation and Program Planning, April 2017, 61, pp. 125-27.

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SMART Goal Setting With Your Students

With all that is being written now about mindset, it’s an excellent idea to begin school by having our students set positive goals. More and more K–12 schools are introducing concepts like SMART goals as a way of gradually building students’ capacity to tackle the increasing challenges they are facing.

Developing a SMART Goal

SMART stands for specific; measurable; attainable; relevant (and rigorous, realistic, and results-focused); and timely (and trackable).

Learning how to frame goals as SMART goals and being willing to adjust them to get SMARTer is an important skill that can help every student get off to a better start and have a better school year, this year and into the future.

Here is a practical example, starting with a typical, but not especially SMART, goal: “I will do better on my report card in the next marking period.”

Here is a way to make it SMARTer: “In the next marking period, I will get at least a C on all my math tests, and at least a B on most of my quizzes and homework assignments.”

But it’s not SMART yet because it has no action plan or benchmarks. Here is a pretty SMART goal: “In the next marking period, I will take careful notes and review them at least two days before tests and quizzes so that I can ask the teacher questions about what I don’t understand. I will do my math homework before I do things with friends, and when I hand it in, I will ask the teacher about anything I am not sure about. When I get anything wrong, I will make sure to ask the teacher, or one of my classmates how they got the right answer.”

It’s not easy to write SMART goals. This skill takes time to develop, and it’s especially important to have in place for students at the secondary level. A goal is an outcome, something that will make a difference as a result of achieving it. It can’t be too ambitious to be out of reach, but also not so simple that it does not challenge. A goal has to be realistic with a stretch, requiring effort and focus to achieve it. That’s why goals need timeframes and measurable action steps along the way so that students can keep track of progress and make adjustments as necessary.

Setting Character Goals via Peer Interviews

In The Heart of Education , Dara Feldman recommends that students set character goals as a way to show themselves—and others—that they have the capacity to live a happy, principled life. She recommends the following interview structure as a way to help students set goals (which can also be framed as SMART goals). I have seen the interview work effectively in grades five and up.

Adapt this to your students’ ages and circumstances. For example, you may have to explain about the importance of trust in sharing this information in class.

Begin by orienting your students as follows:

Step 1:  At the start of the school year, it’s important to set goals. Ask, “What are some things you want to have happen over the course of this year at school?”

Step 2:  It's also important to set goals for ourselves, to become better as individuals. This is known as improving our character. We all have the ability to act in what can be referred to as virtuous ways. Acting in these ways most of the time is good for us and good for those around us. Here is a list of 12 virtues (you can choose to discuss each one, ask students to add to the list, etc., as your time and interest allow): caring, confidence, kindness, courage, perseverance, courtesy, respect, enthusiasm, responsibility, patience, generosity, and truthfulness.

Step 3:  As an in-class activity, tell your students, “I am going to pair you up with a classmate (or two) so that you can discuss these virtues and each set a goal regarding a virtue that is most important to you. Once you are paired off (or in trios), please follow this set of interview or conversation questions.”

• Who is someone you admire, either in your life or in history, and what is the core virtue that you think they have followed?
• Find one of your own virtues on the list and share a few words about how you try to live this virtue.
• What is a virtue that you would like to work on to improve your life?
• What are some ways that you can show this virtue?
• How can I help you to do this successfully?

Once one student has answered all of these questions, have students reverse roles in the interview.

Step 4: Make a list of the student pairs and the virtues they are working on. You may choose to share these with your class, or not. At the end of each week, have the pairs check in with one another about how they are progressing on their chosen virtue. Encourage them to problem-solve any difficulties. Consider having them join with other pairs working on one of the same virtues to expand the problem-solving pool. You can also assist as needed.

Step 5: At the end of each marking period, encourage students to self-evaluate their progress on enacting their virtue, seeking feedback from their partner. You can provide feedback as well. Perhaps this can be integrated into the report card process.

Step 6:  Provide direction for the next marking period. You can change pairs, allow for additional virtues to be adopted, or other creative adaptations that might occur to you.

Writing SMART Goals in Education

• Alicia Verweij
• October 7, 2021
• No Comments

Table of Contents

Unprecedented challenges.

A new school year is underway, and students are facing unprecedented challenges as most are having to “learn how to learn” in a whole new way. Due to the learning hurdles dictated by COVID, students have brought traditional classroom learning back into their own homes, giving a huge rise to the relatively new concept of online education.

In addition to the new environment and learning hurdles that students are facing, teachers find themselves in new situations as well.  This is the time of year when educators find themselves focusing on goal setting.  Whether they are doing so for the purpose of student intervention, personal improvement, or student development.  This process is even more challenging during these unprecedented times.

While students have always needed motivation and self-discipline to excel in school, this new academic climate takes that requirement to the next level. Students no longer have a teacher looking over their shoulder or instructing them to put their smartphones down and pay attention. It’s now up to all learners to be proactive in their studies and feel a sense of responsibility for their educational outcomes.   Goal setting should be utilized as one of your distance learning tools, just as routine as something like Google Classroom or Zoom would be.

Teachers can support students in this endeavor by teaching proper goal-setting techniques so students can focus their efforts appropriately, effectively manage their time, and see the positive results of their work. And setting SMART goals isn’t just important for helping students focus and maintain their momentum during these months of virtual learning–it’s a critical skill they will use for the rest of their lives.  This is a skill that can be more valuable than any cutting-edge education strategies that you could implement!

In addition to students learning to set their own goals, teachers are often responsible for setting goals for their students or with their students for the purpose of improvement plans.  Regardless of the reason or environment, the process should follow the same set of criteria if the goal is going to be meaningful and produce results.  Using the SMART goal-setting process will ensure that your goals are being set with a purpose and can be accurately measured.

What are SMART goals?

SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant/Realistic, and Time-Bound/Time-limited) goals are established using a specific set of criteria that ensures your objectives are attainable within a certain time frame.

SMART  is an acronym that you can use to guide goal setting.  Khan Academy has a  short video  that explains SMART goals that I highly recommend using if you are implementing this with students.

The criteria of SMART goals are commonly attributed to Peter Drucker’s Management by Objectives concept. The first known use of the term occurs in the November 1981 issue of Management Review by George T. Doran. Since then,  Professor Robert S. Rubin (Saint Louis University) wrote about SMART in an article for The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology . He stated that SMART has come to mean different things to different people, as shown below.

To make sure your goals are clear and reachable, each one should be:

• S pecific (simple, sensible, significant)
• M easurable (meaningful, motivating)
• A chievable (agreed, attainable)
• R elevant (reasonable, realistic and resourced, results-based)
• T ime-bound (time-based, time-limited, time/cost limited, timely, time-sensitive)

Professor Rubin also notes that the definition of the SMART acronym may need updating to reflect the importance of efficacy and feedback. However, some authors have expanded it to include extra focus areas; SMARTER, for example, includes Evaluated and Reviewed.

Writing a SMART goal entails working through each of those five components to build a measurable goal that encompasses exactly what needs to be accomplished and when, and how you’ll know when you’re successful. This approach eliminates generalities and guesswork, sets a clear timeline, and makes it that much easier to track progress and identify missed milestones.

How to write SMART goals?

How can this acronym help with goal setting? First, we offer a  free SMART goal worksheet  that you can download and use to help your students walk through this process.  As for the acronym, let’s work through each component and illustrate just how to write a SMART goal.

For the purpose of this article, we will use the following goal to illustrate how it fits the  SMART structure .

“I will complete all of my assignments this year at least one day before they’re due to avoid rushing through any work. To do this, I will list all of my assignments in order of their due date and work through them accordingly. I will spend 20 minutes every Sunday afternoon determining which projects need attention during the week ahead.”

In order for a goal to be effective, it needs to be specific.  You have to drill down to the details.

A specific goal answers questions like:

What objective needs to be accomplished?

Who is responsible for it?

What steps will you take to achieve it?

Thinking through these questions will help you set a realistic goal that lays out what you’re aiming for and adds that crucial context or condition. The goal is specific because it states that they will complete all assignments one day before they’re due.  The goal setter is the responsible party and it clearly defines what needs to be accomplished.

Being specific is a great start, but it doesn’t set a guide for measurement. Quantifying your goals (that is, making sure they’re measurable) is crucial in tracking progress and knowing when you’ve achieved your goal.

The above goal is measurable because each assignment has a due date.  The goal setter will know their progress with the passing of each assignment’s deadline.

Goals should be realistically achievable.  Achievability means ensuring that your goal is within reach (you’ll also sometimes see this letter representing “attainable”).  Put simply, this is the point in the process when you give yourself a serious reality check. Is the goal you’ve outlined attainable? Is it something you or your student can actually accomplish? It’s important to consider any limitations that might hamper this goal.

By being organized with a list of assignments and a schedule for completing them, the goal setter has made an achievable goal. They have incorporated the exact tools necessary to achieve the goal.

Relevant to the goal setter or person needing to achieve the goal is one of the most important pieces, in my opinion.  It is also an area I will elaborate on later in this article.  Nobody sets goals for the fun of it. There should be a real benefit attached to reaching your chosen objective.  If you are setting a goal for a student, this needs to be something the student finds relevant.  It can’t just be about the teacher if the student is the one who has to achieve the goal.

During this step, you evaluate why the goal matters to you and/or your student. I like to say that this is where we give the goal a purpose or reason.  Once you identify that key benefit, incorporate it into your SMART goal so everybody has a grasp on the larger picture.

The example goal above has a clear reason, to avoid turning in work that has been hurried.  This means the goal-setter will avoid hasty completions and last-minute rushing.  It identifies a clear purpose for the goal which gives it meaning and purpose for the goal setter or student.

Timelines are critical to goal setting.  Good goals don’t stretch into infinity.  Goals must have a distinct deadline. The final component of SMART goals is that they need to be time-bound.  This is the key component that allows you to measure the success of the goal. It needs to be clear when a goal has been reached, which is why timelines are necessary.

The deadline for this example goal is threefold: 1) one day prior to each assignment’s due date 2) every Sunday night 3) the end of the school year.  The goal setter has established 3 distinct timelines to measure the success or completion of the goal.

Why the goal matters…

Now that we have discussed what exactly SMART goals are and how to write them, let’s elaborate on the “R” – Relevant component.  As I stated earlier in the article, this is where you evaluate why the goal matters to you and/or your student.  You give the goal a purpose or reason.  I find that this is the area that often is left out of goal setting in education or is misguided.  This is the ‘WHY.’

An  article written by Dr. Yogesh Daudkhane  critically examines SMART goals and this missing ‘Why.’  It talks about how we often set goals but miss the ‘why’ of it and then we realize that after a certain period we are not interested in achieving the goal.  This is because the goal is missing a purpose.

In education, this often happens because the teacher is setting the goal for the student and without their involvement.  Goals can have a pervasive influence on behavior and performance if the student has a purpose and buy-in.  

Make it part of your professional development!

Goal setting should be a professional development leadership strategy of every administrator for themselves and their teachers.  The value that this would add to the school climate and culture is immeasurable!  It would be more valuable than any cutting-edge classroom resources that they could purchase or mandate the use of. Just think about what your school would look like if everyone implemented true SMART goal setting related to every aspect of their job, from administrators down to students.  Accountability and attitudes would completely shift and go in a much more positive direction.

How do you achieve your SMART Goal?

Now you know how to write a SMART goal, but knowing how to achieve it is a separate challenge.  Actually achieving it is the whole point of creating one!

You’ve already taken a great first step by using the SMART criteria to set your goal. Now you need to set your and/or your student up for success.  So just how do we do that?

First, you need to write it down.   A study conducted by Dr. Gail Matthews , a psychology professor at the Dominican University in California, found that people are 42 percent more likely to achieve their goals when they write them down.

Next, establish regular checkups.  Just like we go to the doctor for routine checkups, our goals need to be visited regularly.  Any goal worth achieving will take time, and it’s important to check in on your progress regularly to ensure you are meeting your targets and staying on track according to your well-laid plan.  Additionally, these recurring checkups and opportunities for feedback will keep everybody motivated, which is especially important for larger duration goals.

Lastly, celebrate your achievements.  This means that every achievement is a win, even the small ones.  Don’t wait until your entire goal is accomplished to celebrate.  Taking the time to celebrate and acknowledge the smaller wins and milestones can keep you moving in the right direction.  Even a small win will initiate a dopamine spike and trigger a motivation boost.

So, by setting smaller, incremental goals and then giving ourselves a hearty pat on the back when they are achieved, we can increase those dopamine spikes, which in turn encourages us to stay the course.  This is increasingly important with younger children.  Remember that their attention span is also shorter.

Increase you and your students’ success with SMART goals!

Now you know how to write and achieve SMART goals.  In addition,  research shows that someone becomes more likely to work through setbacks if pursuing a goal .  So what are you waiting for?  Help your students set SMART goals and don’t forget to set some for yourself as well.  Make everyone more productive and your climate more positive by utilizing SMART goal setting.  

Alicia is a seasoned educator that is passionate about teaching children to think critically, problem-solve, and function in an ever-changing digital world so that they will be prepared for future careers. She’s an active supporter of new educators and is known as an innovator in STEAM education. As a teaching veteran of more than 12 years, she holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership, a B.S. in Business Management, an Alternate Route Education Certification, and an endorsement in Gifted Education. She is an educational influencer, founder, and consultant at EDGEucating LLC.

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Setting SMART Goals for Teachers and Educators

Once you start setting smart goals, its hard to go back..

Teachers are the unsung heroes of our society. Our educators and their teaching skills shape future generations not just educationally but socially and emotionally, helping children (and adults!) learn and grow. When teachers set goals in their professional life, they can better serve their students and set a great example. 

Educational research shows that it is important for teachers to set both professional and personal goals that allow them to do their jobs more effectively, that prevent teacher burnout, and that help them stay inspired to do what they do, day in and day out. By setting goals that are actually achievable, teachers can thrive and continue to dream big on their own behalf and on behalf of their students.

When it comes to setting goals you can stick to for the long term, the go-to advice is to apply the SMART system for goal setting. This allows you to create goals you can stick to, while also acknowledging what’s achievable and measurable for where you're at right now. 

Here’s how teachers can set SMART goals for professional development and the betterment of those they teach. With this system in mind, you can make every year an amazing school year. 

What are SMART goals?

The purpose of setting SMART goals is to help you frame your objectives in a concrete, easily measurable way. (We’ll soon get into some SMART goals examples to show you how it all works.) The idea is that you use the SMART acronym whenever you set a goal to make sure it checks the following five adjectives: 

Using this framework, SMART goals help you create a solid framework around what you want to accomplish - and this doesn’t have to be restricted to teaching. SMART goals can help you learn new skills, lose weight, change your attitude, and much more. Instead of setting vague goals that are hard to measure success by, SMART goals set you up for success from the get-go. 

Anytime you set a goal, whether these are professional goals, or objectives aimed at student motivation or student progress, you should make sure it meets all of the SMART criteria. You can ensure that your goals hit these benchmarks by asking yourself the following five questions: 

How specific is your goal?

Let’s say you want to work on your own professional development. There’s a big difference between setting a goal to simply work on professional development and setting a goal detailing the amount of time and the modality you’ll choose to do that development, whether it’s taking an online class or reading books for self-study. 

The idea of “working on” something is vague because it’s not specific enough to give you the motivation to follow through. When you set a goal, be as concrete as possible. This will help you stay on track. 

How measurable is your goal? 

Next, you’ll want to determine how you will measure your success. Setting a certain amount of hours, raising a certain amount of money, raising the class grade point average by a certain amount of points is concrete. 

Make sure that your goal includes some kind of number that you can measure your success by or commit to.  Having something tangible to hold on to allows you to more easily track your progress and keep yourself accountable at the same time. 

How achievable is your goal? 

As a teacher, one of your roles is to help your students write, read and learn more effectively. You want them to dream big in every class period, reach for the stars and all of those other cliche phrases you see on posting hanging up in classrooms or around schools. 

But you also need to tow the line between setting yourself up for failure and setting strong enough goals that you can actually achieve in the context of student work. Trying to get the classroom ready for the new year in one day is likely not feasible. Working on the classroom design for a set amount of hours a few weeks before school starts is more achievable. 

To help you set goals that you can accomplish, be clear about your intentions, your abilities, your financial constraints and your time constraints when you are mapping out your objective. 

How relevant is your goal?

Timing is everything, as the saying goals. The same is true for goal setting. Understanding if now is the right time for a certain goal is an important part of the SMART model. Is this goal worth your time, right now? Do you have enough bandwidth to make this goal happen? Would another time be more ideal? 

It’s easy for teachers to get burnt out trying to do everything for their students. Keep a healthy perspective about your goals. Trying to get your Ph.D at night while teaching full time at a high school, for instance, may stretch you too thin.  

How time bound is your goal?

When you give yourself a firm deadline for a goal, you’re typically more motivated to achieve it. Saying that you’re going to commit to a healthier lifestyle, for instance, isn’t as meaningful as saying that you’re going to take a 15 minute walk every day during your lunch break. Setting boundaries, such as that you’re going to hold office hours every Tuesday for three hours, will be a better way to communicate with students than allowing them to email you 24/7 with questions. 

Although your needs around time may change (you might want to do longer walks in the summer and shorter walks in the winter or you might allow students to email questions in the days leading up to an exam), having that time bound framework is important. You not only give yourself a hard deadline for accomplishing your goals but you also can use this framework to protect your time so you don’t get overwhelmed 

Why is it important for teachers to set SMART goals?

Teachers want the best for their students. Year after year, they set out to inspire, assist and challenge kids and adults of all ages. SMART goals give teachers the framework to make their objectives happen. 

Turning fluid, vague goals into specific, measurable benchmarks transforms your hopes for your students into reality. SMART goals can also help improve teachers’ relationships with their students when this framework is used in the classroom, as well as increase student motivation when they have these goals to achieve as well. In addition, they can support students’ progress—not to mention teachers’ professional development, too. 

There are a number of ways to implement these goals for teachers: when figuring out lesson plans, when evaluating students’ work, when defining your teaching practices and when measuring student engagement, just to name a few. 

SMART goals are effective—they set the stage for conscious intentions. When you set you and your students up for success, you can work together to keep improving. Watching your students’ pride in achieving a SMART goal you’ve created for the class will continue to inspire you, and them, to keep setting objectives. Whether you set goals for this week’s lessons or objectives to be achieved by the end of the school year, using this useful acronym will get you where you want to be. 

SMART goals for teachers examples

To fully understand how to set SMART goals, it may be important to see how they work in practice with examples of real teacher goals. Here are just a few sample goals and how you can transform them into SMART goals. (For your own goals, you can use this SMART goals template to help you with your specific objectives.)

Goal: Improve classroom organization

Smart goal: set aside at least one hour per day after school to declutter old files and organize classroom materials before the end of the school year..

S: You’re working on throwing away old materials and organizing existing materials.

M: You will be finished when you’ve tackled each drawer, bookshelf and cabinet. 

A: One hour a day is achievable without getting overwhelmed by the tasks, especially if students take turns staying after school to help you for extra credit points. 

R: This goal is relevant because your classroom is currently disorganized.  

T: You will only spend one hour a day so that you have time for grading papers, time with your family and other important things you need to do. 

Goal: Help students feel more comfortable with public speaking

Smart goal: establish a rotation where each student gets a chance to lead a 20 minute discussion of material once per week. .

S: You’re helping students with public speaking by asking them to lead discussions. 

M: Each student will sign up for leading discussion, allowing you to make sure everyone gets a turn to speak. 

A: This student discussion goal is achievable because it gives everyone a chance without being overwhelming or taking up too much teaching time. 

R: With summer coming up, students need speaking experience when interviewing for summer jobs. 

T: Each discussion is 20 minutes once a week, giving students a finite amount of time to lead their discussions and making sure everyone gets the same amount of time. 

Goal: Nurture your own learning and abilities as a teacher

Smart goal: by the end of the month, i will sign up for an online continuing educational course to continue my professional development. .

S: You are signing up for a specific online course. 

M: You can measure this goal by whether or not you actually sign up. 

A: This goal is achievable because you have time in your schedule to complete an online course. 

R: You have wanted to sign up for an online course for months but haven't done it yet. 

T: You have until the end of the month to achieve this goal. 

Goal: Allow student to work together toward a common goal

Smart goal: organize a bake sale and raffle next month to raise $300 for the upcoming class trip. .

S: You are organizing a specific event with a specific goal.

M: You can measure success by the amount of money made, as well as how well the students work together on organizing the bake sale and raffle. 

A: You think that $300 is an achievable goal given that you’ll be hosting both a bake sale and a raffle. 

R: This goal is relevant because the students need to raise money for the trip and they could use an incentive to bond together as a class.

T: This goal is time bound because the event will take place next month. 

Goal: Establish better communication with parents

Smart goal: i will send out a weekly recap email to parents on thursday nights, sharing three highlights from the week and reminding them about important upcoming dates. .

S: You are sending out a weekly email to parents with specific information included.

M: You can measure this goal by whether or not you send these emails. 

A: You have time in your schedule to send out a detailed email like this once per week without it becoming an overwhelming task. 

R: You feel this goal is relevant because parents are curious about what’s going on in the classroom and not every parent has the ability to volunteer at school. 

T: This goal is time bound because you have outlined a specific day each week when you send this email. 

Goal: Don’t get burnt out grading student essays. 

Smart goal: i will grade three essays each day for 10 days..

S: You are spacing out grading your students’ essays. 

M: You will grade three essays a day for two weeks to finish grading all 30 essays before the end of the month. 

A: Three essays is achievable because they won’t be longer than 10 pages.

R: You need to have these essays graded in less than two weeks but doing them all at once will be too much. 

T: You need to get this done before the end of the month when final grades are due. 

Paying SMART goals forward

Once you start setting SMART goals, it’s hard to go back to the more vague, open-ended way of setting benchmarks for yourself. When you see how much you’re able to achieve—how productive you can really be—with SMART goals, you will be encouraged to keep setting goals for yourselves, and for your students. 

Moreover, you can pay it forward to your students and teach them how to set SMART goals for themselves. (These SMART goals for students are a good place to start.) Work with your students to help them set their own specific, achievable objectives so they really can start fulfilling their dreams.

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Man Posts Sad Photo of Struggling Hot Dog Seller - Little Did He Know It'd Change His Life

Restaurant Goes Viral After Customer Snaps This Sad Photo

The restaurant business is a hard one, full of long hours, complex challenges and a high turnover rate. Running a successful eatery requires a lot of skill, dedication , and luck, and even then, there’s no guarantee the restaurant will succeed . So when someone goes above and beyond to help your establishment thrive, it’s a pretty big thing.

A Struggling Restaurant

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In August 2020, an Oklahoman named Scott Hosek opened Spirals Hot Dogs and More . The idea was to deliver elevated hot dogs, sausages, and links with toppings ranging from mac and cheese to peanut butter. Of course, launching such a place during the pandemic was hard, and post-pandemic business still hadn't picked up the way Hosek needed to stay afloat.

The problem wasn’t the hot dogs; customers loved the food. The problem was marketing. Hosek needed to get the word out there and bring in more customers, but nothing worked. He considered shutting down, especially by October 2023, when he suffered a stroke.

That’s when a military vet named Nick Chappell came in for a bite. He loved his food but noticed the owner staring out the window, waiting for customers. He decided to snap a heartbreaking photo.

“It was just really slow and I was kind of looking out the window and I’m thinking of all the businesses going on right now, we’re really slow today while everybody else is probably not,” Hosek recalled to The Oklahoma News Report .

A Viral Post

Chappell felt for the man and sent the photo to some friends. They urged him to post the photo on social media , but Chappell hesitated.

“I didn’t want it to seem like a moment of weakness, but it also was a great time to try and get customers in the door for him,” he told the outlet.

In the end, Chappell posted a nice review of the restaurant and shared the photo, along with a few other photos of his meal. The post went viral, and about 24 hours later, customers began pouring into Spirals. The next time Chappell went in for a hot dog, about 70 other guests were there.

Hosek reveals that business has turned around since then. Now, on a typical “slow day,” he’ll sell $1,100 to $1,200 worth of product. It can be closer to $2,000 or $3,000 on a busy day.

“It could very well keep me going, and quite honestly, we were talking about shutting it completely down,” he said.

He’s grateful for Chappell’s post, and the two men have since struck up a friendship . Hosek has added a hot dog, The Thunderbird, to the menu in Chappell’s honor, and this past year, Spirals also sponsored his son’s baseball team.

“We look at everything that’s happened and say, ‘God did this,’” Hosek added. “This was our church for a little while. Here we were, talking about closing down and God stepped in.”

Helping Each Other Out

All it took was a small act of kindness for Spirals to become one of the best-known hot dog places in the country. But before that, the owner thought of shutting down because nothing he was doing was working. It’s an excellent reminder for all of us that referrals and word of mouth are everything when it comes to small businesses.

It doesn’t take much for us to write a Google review, leave a nice comment, or post about a place we love on social media. To us, it’s a few moments out of our day. But to the owners of that small business, sharing your thoughts and kind comments can make a world of difference.

And, like in the case of this hot dog joint, it could be the thing that ultimately makes or breaks the business.

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Dad Flies 17 Hours to Surprise Son At High School Graduation

Graduation is a big deal. It’s the moment when a young person is recognized for their dedication and hard work and a time to celebrate the beginning of an adult life. It’s a big deal for kids to have their support system cheering them on at graduation , which is why this story of a father flying across the world to see his son at grad is so heartwarming.

A Father Oversees

David Castillo flew 17 hours to make his son's graduation

YouTube/ABC News

David Castillo is in the U.S. Navy and recently had four straight deployments. That meant he couldn’t see his family much, especially since his most recent, four-month deployment on the South China Sea.

That didn’t mean he wasn’t thinking about his family, especially his son Randy. Randy’s high school graduation was coming up in San Antonio, Texas, and Castillo was heartbroken he wouldn’t be there.

Then, Castillo got word that he could get home in time and decided to keep it a secret. Instead of revealing to his children that he was flying home, he boarded a plane and flew 17 hours across the world. He landed just in time.

A Giant Surprise

First, Castillo stopped at the house and surprised his younger son. In a video shared to ABC News , the younger kid can be seen crying and hugging his father in surprise. Then, the family headed to the high school.

“I’m here to surprise my son; I’m just glad to be here for his first steps in life,” Castillo told the camera.

At the school, staff members were in on the surprise. They recorded Randy and asked him about his father.

“Sadly, he’s not here; he’s in the Navy and overseas right now,” Randy told the interviewer.

The person behind the camera asked Randy to turn around to where his dad was waiting. Randy covered his mouth in surprise in a tear-jerking moment, then hugged his dad tight as the crowd cheered. Not only did his dad make his graduation, but he pulled off the most epic surprise.

Remembering What Matters

One of the reasons this story hits you right in the feels is that it reminds us all of what’s important in life: the people we love. Yes, many of us have to work hard to earn a living, and we can’t always be there for the moments we want to be. But doing our best to show up for the people we love is essential.

Showing up reminds us that we have a support system and love in our lives, and it’s what we hope others do for us when we need it most.

So make time for loved ones, even when life gets busy. Put a get-together on the calendar. Make the phone call to catch up. Or send a note telling someone you’re thinking of them. You’ll never regret that you did.

Copyright © 2024 Goalcast

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Home » Blog » How To Write SMART Learning Objectives & Outcomes

How To Write SMART Learning Objectives & Outcomes

As a methodology first created for business management, SMART has since been adapted across numerous fields, including education. SMART objectives offer a structured framework to help educators design effective learning goals that are clear, focused, and reachable. They ensure that learners can understand what is expected from them, fostering a more efficient and meaningful learning experience.

What are SMART Learning Objectives?

The SMART framework breaks down learning objectives into five key characteristics: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Each characteristic plays a pivotal role in creating a comprehensive learning goal that is practical, attainable, and aligned with overall educational targets.

George T. Doran first proposed the SMART framework in the November 1981 issue of Management Review . In his initial formulation, Doran’s A stood for “assignable,” meaning a task that can meaningfully be given to a specified individual. His R stood for “realistic,” a concept now captured by the latter-day “achievable” component.

In its current form, the framework offers a set of criteria that can be applied to any learning methodology to ensure that its content and assessment systems are fit for purpose.

The learning objective should be well-defined, clear, and unambiguous. Instead of setting a broad or generic goal, educators should aim to specify what the learner will achieve upon successful completion of the course or lesson.

Another way to think of this is to consider what the learner will be able to do or understand, having completed the course, that they couldn’t have done or understood beforehand. How will it change their work life, skillset, or understanding?

The objective must include criteria for measuring progress and outcome. This ensures that the learner’s progress can be tracked, and the effectiveness of the learning process can be evaluated.

With eLearning content , there are numerous ways to measure progress and comprehension, including completion percentages, internal quizzes, and final assessments. Various interactive tools allow for gamifying the process of measurement with puzzles and challenges that can be inserted into the course material to maintain interest and gauge understanding.

The learning objective should be realistic and attainable. While ambitious goals can be motivational, they should not be so challenging as to be unattainable, which might lead to frustration or discouragement.

Stepped courses with modules for complete beginners, intermediate-level learners and experts can help ensure that the student completes a course at a level they can manage. Courses should avoid being too lengthy or complicated, or the end goal can begin to seem unreachable.

Break down your course materials into slides, lessons, and modules to motivate students to persist, and reward completion stages with badges, congratulations, or other markers of success.

The objective should align with the learner’s broader educational or professional goals, ensuring the learning process is meaningful and applicable to their overall development. This is particularly important in mandatory training courses such as fire and safety training, first aid or DEI courses.

By tailoring courses to the day-to-day situations your students and employees will face, you will increase engagement.

If a course has an in-person element, make sure it incorporates time for students to discuss how each lesson relates to their own life or work. Lively discussions will follow, and the relevance of the topic will hit home.

Each objective should have a defined timeline, offering a clear deadline for when the learning goal should be achieved. This enhances motivation and allows progress tracking over time.

Run many trials of your courses and time how long it takes the average student to complete the various modules, then tweak the content and design accordingly. Experience has shown that an individual module should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete.

Another good idea is to give students a realistic notion of how long each part of the course will take to finish. This will allow them to allocate sufficient time for completion, without having to interrupt their flow.

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing SMART Learning Objectives

Creating SMART learning objectives involves six critical steps – an initial definitional stage and then one step for each concept in the SMART framework. By following these steps methodically, you’ll ensure your courses are well-designed and fit for purpose.

Step 1: Identify Desired Outcome(s)

Before setting an objective, identify the desired learning outcomes of the lesson or course. What should learners know or be able to do by the end? It’s a good idea to specify this up front to set expectations.

When you’ve devised the course, you can run tests and examine the achieved outcomes. Do they match your intentions when designing the course? If not, a rethink may be required.

Step 2: Be Specific

Use action verbs to precisely define what the learner will achieve. Clearly state the scope of the objective to eliminate ambiguity.

Here’s an example of a poorly written course objective:

“Students will gain an understanding of the basics of social media marketing.”

And here’s that objective written with more specificity (with action verbs in bold):

“Students will appreciate the different audiences of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, understand the marketing objectives that can be achieved using each one, and will practise using some marketing techniques to make best use of each medium.”

Step 3: Ensure Objectives are Measurable

Define clear, quantifiable criteria to evaluate progress and success. You might establish various methods of assessment, including quizzes, projects, or discussions.

Be very transparent upfront about what constitutes an excellent, good, or acceptable “pass mark.” While some courses pass or fail only (driver’s tests, for example), others have gradations of achievement.

It can be difficult to quantify comprehension of a complex topic with multiple choice questions, so if it is vital that students gain an in-depth knowledge of a complex subject, then it is better to include a project, in-person assessment or written essay.

Without some sort of measurable outcome, there’s a danger students can complete courses as “lip service” to the notion of education, without really learning anything.

Step 4: Ensure Objectives are Achievable

Consider the resources available and the learners’ current capabilities when setting objectives. This ensures that the goals are challenging but within reach.

It can be helpful to run a “pre-assessment” test or questionnaire to gauge current comprehension level. If you do so, make sure you stress that there is no good or bad level of achievement; you are simply trying to identify a place to begin.

Match your course materials to the age, reading level and/or educational level of your students. Don’t use overly complicated language when simpler terms will do.

Step 5: Ensure Objectives are Relevant/Personalised

Align the learning objectives with the overall goals of the course and the individual learner’s needs. This ensures the learning process is valuable and beneficial for the learner.

Online systems allow for a high degree of learning personalisation of courses, including offering modules in a range of languages or including various optional extras.

As well as making the course content fit students’ needs, you need to make sure the outcomes match what they’ll be able to use in their employment or day-to-day lives.

For instance, if you were teaching a course in beer-making in a microbrewery setting, but most of your students were likely to work in commercial breweries, it would be wise to tailor the outcomes to include those very different environments.

Step 6: Establish Deadlines/Timeframes

Set clear deadlines for each objective. Balance the time constraints with the scope of the objective to ensure it’s feasible within the given timeframe. This may involve a degree of trial and error as you’re designing the course.

There’s little more frustrating than being told a course must be completed in one hour, only to find that its quizzes are so lengthy and challenging that it takes twice as long to finish.

Examples of SMART Learning Objectives

Here are examples of SMART objectives in different settings:

Classroom Setting

“In this semester, students will improve their writing skills by composing and revising at least three essays, with each essay receiving a score of 70% or higher.”

Note that there is room for variation in this objective – some students may complete three essays while others may do more. 70% is an ambitious but not unrealistic goal if your student intake has been pre-selected for basic literacy.

Online Courses

“By the end of this 20-hour online photography course, participants will produce a portfolio of ten high-quality photographs demonstrating mastery of advanced lighting techniques.”

This course may use advanced photo analytics to judge whether specific lessons about dynamic range, composition, colour, focus and subject choice have been adhered to and demonstrated.

What’s especially good about this objective is that it specifies the completion time (20 hours) and work volume (ten photos) very precisely.

Professional Development

“Within six months, team members will complete an advanced project management course, implement new strategies in their work, and show a 20% decrease in project overruns.”

Although the 20% overrun reduction may prove ambitious, it’s likely that the course organisers have researched the difference between the effect on deadlines of trained versus untrained teams.

“Within six months” is time-bound, but allows some wriggle room, for learners who can complete their coursework more quickly. The objective promises real professional and personal development.

Each of the above examples is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

Benefits of Using SMART Learning Objectives

Enhanced focus and clarity.

SMART objectives provide clear and concise goals, aiding learners in understanding exactly what is expected. They ensure that a higher percentage of learners engage with course materials and see courses through to completion.

Improved Measurement and Assessment

Because they’re measurable, SMART objectives make progress tracking and outcome assessment easier and more effective. It becomes easier to demonstrate the efficacy of a course, and to identify places where materials can be improved in future iterations.

Increased Motivation and Engagement

Achievable and time-bound objectives motivate and engage learners by providing clear goals and a sense of urgency. They can foster a spirit of friendly rivalry too, as team members compete with one another to gain the best completion scores.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing SMART Objectives

Here are some of the frequent pitfalls course creators face:

• Avoid vague or overly broad objectives that fail to clearly state what is expected from the learner. These will not inspire excitement and may lead to students feeling adrift as they work through the course materials.
• Avoid objectives without measurable criteria that offer no way to evaluate success. Neither the course creator nor the student is well-served by a course with no objective measure of achievement.
• Avoid irrelevant content that students won’t be able to incorporate within their lives or working environment. If elements add to completion time but don’t contribute to course objectives, the content should be left out.
• Lastly, steer clear of unattainable or unrealistic goals that may frustrate or discourage learners. This will reduce engagement and can cause you to receive poor reviews of your courses.

Strategies for Implementing and Monitoring SMART Objectives

Methods for effective implementation include:

• Incorporating objectives into lesson planning and making sure they are at the forefront when designing a course.
• Tracking progress and adjusting as necessary. Run numerous trials of your courses in the design stage, including participants at various levels of prior subject knowledge.
• Providing regular feedback and support to learners. Take stock at various points during your course, either with recaps (for an online course) or in-person discussions of “what we’ve learned so far.” This helps learners feel they’re keeping up.

SMART is Objectively Better

Creating SMART learning objectives plays an important role in enhancing educational effectiveness. It enables learners to understand expectations, focus their efforts, and measure their progress.

As an eLearning company , Skillshub is committed to creating efficient and impactful learning experiences.

We incorporate these principles into our learning modules, providing a well-rounded eLearning platform and approach that caters to each learner’s unique needs and abilities.

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Setting Effective SMART Goals In Your Classroom – How To Write A Smart Goal

Table of Contents

What are the benefits of smart goals, story books about setting goals, download our smart goals template, simplify with easy questions, use sticky notes and sentence starters, fun activities motivates goal setting, set smart goals in all areas, how can teachers involve parents in the process of setting smart goals in the classroom, what are some potential obstacles or challenges that students may face when trying to achieve their smart goals, are there any specific strategies or techniques that can be used to track and monitor progress towards smart goals, how can teachers ensure that smart goals are individualized and tailored to each student’s needs and abilities, how can the concept of smart goals be adapted for younger students or students with special needs.

Are you ready to take your classroom to the next level? Setting SMART goals is like giving your teaching a rocket boost.

In this article, we’ll show you how to create a focused and successful learning environment by implementing this effective goal-setting strategy.

Discover the characteristics of SMART goals and practical strategies for setting them.

Get ready to transform your classroom into a goal-oriented, thriving environment where students take ownership of their learning.

SMART Goal Key Takeaways:

• SMART goals provide direction, prioritize tasks, and manage time effectively in the classroom.
• Setting goals leads to personal growth and development for students.
• SMART goals help measure progress and celebrate achievements.
• Setting SMART goals in the classroom improves academic performance, engagement, and organizational skills.

The main reason for setting goals is to achieve the goals. It’s therefore obvious that you would like to set goals in the best way possible to enable you to achieve those goals. SMART goals are one of those tools that will help you define your goals in such a manner that it becomes achievable.

SMART is an acronym that stands for

• S – Specific
• M – Measurable
• A – Attainable
• R – Relevant

Specific means to describe the goal by answer these questions:

• What is it you want to accomplish?
• Who wants to accomplish the goal?
• Why do you want to achieve this goal?
• How are you going to make it happen?

Vague goals are difficult to understand and to complete. For example, a goal to do better in school may mean anything and everything. A goal to improve your math’s grade, for example, gives a better idea of what you want to achieve.

The secret in defining a goal is that a stranger should be able to read the goal and understand exactly what you want to achieve,

Measurable goals indicate how you will know if the goal is achieved. It is the way you will measure your progress. Taking the math example, one way of measuring your improvement is the test or exam results. The goal becomes measurable when you define the result. E.g., I want to improve my math grade by x points or percentage.

When you reach that grade, you know you’ve achieved the goal.

Attainable goals motivate a person to achieve. Setting a goal to become an A student in math the day before the final exams without studying is not attainable. The goal becomes attainable when you set the goal at the beginning of the semester. Part of the goal setting is to decide how much time you will spend studying math each week. Do you need a tutor to help you? Is part of your goals to complete math homework with a friend who can help you explain concepts?

Realistic goals have to aspects to consider. The first is if the goal possible for you to accomplish. It’s impossible to learn the whole year’s math 24 hours before writing the exam. It is, however, realistic to set time aside for math and to ask the help of a tutor.

The second aspect of a realistic goal is whether you are willing to do the work to achieve the goal? It may be realistic to spend an extra 30 minutes each day to study math, but are you prepared to sacrifice that time to accomplish the goal?

If yes, then you will be motivated to accomplish the goal.

Timely goals include a time frame. Include the day you want to start as well as the day the goal should be completed. For additional motivation add interim milestones as well. To improve your math’s grade, you need to decide when to start the goal and when it will be accomplished. Your starting date could be the first day of the semester and the end date the day of exams. You can add milestones for completing chapters or lessons within a certain time frame.

How To Use SMART Goals in the Classroom

Before your students can start setting SMART goals, they need to understand the difference between a goal and a wish. A wish may be to do cool tricks with the soccer ball or to be the best and most popular cheerleader. The goal, however, is different from a wish. A goal could be to learn to play soccer or to audition for the cheerleading team.

One way to help students understand the difference is with books where stories are about setting goals. Here are a few examples of children’s books:

• A Chair for my Mother by Vera Williams
• A Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats
• The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer
• Being Teddy Roosevelt by Claudia Mills

Simplify the process with a goal planner that answers these 5 questions:

• Specific: What exactly do you want to reach, achieve or happen? Be as detailed as possible.
• Measurable: How will you know you have reached the goal or it happened?
• Attainable: Can you reach this goal if you work at it and follow the steps to reach the goal? Is it possible for you to do this?
• Realistic: Is the goal important enough for you to do what is necessary to reach the goal? Are you prepared to give up what is needed to make this happen? Do you really want this?
• Timely: When will you reach the goal. How long will it take for you to reach the goal? Give a date.

Another way to simplify goal setting is to use sticky notes with sentence starters. It works great for classroom goals. Examples of sentence starters:

• In one week I will…
• I will work towards this goal by…
• I will _______ by _________
• My goal is ________. I will reach my goal by______. To reach my goal, I will ____

Fun activities can motivate students to create goals and to keep them motivated in achieving the goals.

• A bucket list inspires creating and achieving goals as a group. Create a bucket list as a family or for classroom projects. Let everyone participate and then hang the list up where everyone can see it.
• Let the students create vision boards by using pictures to represent the goal they want to achieve. Use pictures from old magazines, print images from the web or let the children draw pictures.
• Use stars to inspire them to reach a goal. Let the student write three things they do well and add a star to each. Then let them set a goal of something they would like to do so that it may also receive a star.
• Ask fun questions that relate to the students and allow them to be creative. For example, “If you had a superpower what would you do with it? Now how can you make a plan to achieve that dream?”

Setting goals aren’t limited to academic and sports achievements. Students can set goals to improve characteristics and their attitudes toward authority and peers.

Classroom goals can include short weekly goals too. Behavioral and attitude goals are excellent for weekly time frames.

• Sit up in my seat.
• Use kind words when talking to classmates.
• Do my homework daily.
• Look at the teacher when they are talking.
• Be quiet while the teacher talks.

One fun activity is to draw a wheel with spikes. Each area represents a certain area of the child’s life, e.g., family, friends, school, sport, religion, health, etc. Motivate the student to set goals in all areas of their life.

By teaching children at a young age how to set achievable goals, you create a mindset of accomplishments. SMART goals are tools that help children and adults accomplish things they wouldn’t have. It makes dreams attainable and obstacles less daunting.

Imagine a generation that achieves their dreams. A generation who understand that setting goals aren’t wishful new year resolutions forgotten and discarded. A generation that understands they can live their dream through setting goals and subgoals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Setting Smart Goals

To involve parents in the process of setting SMART goals in your classroom, start by hosting a parent-teacher meeting. Share the importance of goal setting and how it benefits students. Invite parents to contribute their insights and suggestions.

Provide resources and examples for parents to understand the concept of SMART goals. Encourage regular communication between parents and teachers to track progress and make adjustments if needed.

When trying to achieve SMART goals, you may face some obstacles or challenges. Lack of motivation can make it difficult to stay focused and committed. Time management difficulties can also hinder your progress.

It’s important to find ways to stay motivated, such as reminding yourself of the benefits and rewards of achieving your goals. Additionally, practicing effective time management strategies, like creating a schedule and prioritizing tasks, can help you stay on track.

To track and monitor progress towards your SMART goals, there are several specific strategies and techniques you can use.

One effective method is to keep a detailed record of your progress, using charts or graphs to visually track your growth.

Another technique is to regularly review and assess your progress, making adjustments as needed.

Additionally, seeking feedback from others can provide valuable insights and help keep you accountable.

To ensure that SMART goals are individualized and tailored to each student’s needs and abilities, teachers can use personalized assessments and individualized teaching strategies.

By assessing students’ strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles, teachers can create goals that are specific to each student.

They can also provide differentiated instruction and support to help students achieve their goals.

Regular check-ins and progress monitoring can further personalize the goals and provide necessary feedback and adjustments.

This approach promotes student ownership and fosters a more personalized and effective learning experience.

To adapt SMART goals for younger students, simplify the language and provide concrete examples. Break down goals into smaller steps and offer visual aids or charts to track progress.

Modify SMART goals for special needs students by considering their individual abilities and providing necessary accommodations. Use visual cues or assistive technology to support their understanding and engagement.

Retha Groenewald is a professional writer working for FractusLearning. When not working with Fractus, she is web copywriter for the Christian market. Her writing is featured at Christian Web Copywriter and at Writing That Breathes Life.

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20 Solid Educational Goals Examples (Smart Goals)

By Status.net Editorial Team on October 18, 2023 — 12 minutes to read

Educational goals are the objectives you set to achieve specific learning outcomes. They provide a clear direction for your personal and academic growth.

• To start, think about specific skills you want to develop or knowledge you want to gain. For example, your goal might be to improve your public speaking skills or learn coding to enhance your career prospects.
• Set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound). This will help you focus your efforts and stay on track. Suppose you want to become proficient in public speaking. You could set a goal like this: “I will join a local Toastmasters club and attend meetings twice a month for six months to build confidence and receive constructive feedback on my speeches.”
• Accountability is crucial for achieving your goals. Share your objectives with friends, family, or mentors, so they can provide support and encouragement along the way. Consider using tools like journals or apps to track your progress and reflect on your growth.
• Embrace a growth mindset. This means acknowledging that setbacks and challenges are part of the learning process. When you encounter obstacles, remind yourself that you have the ability to adapt and grow.

Examples of SMART Educational Goals

• Improve Academic Performance SMART Goal: Set a time-bound goal to achieve a specific GPA (e.g., 3.5) by the end of the current semester. Example: “I will achieve a GPA of 3.5 or higher by the end of this semester through consistent attendance at lectures, setting aside focused study time for each subject, and seeking help from professors during office hours when needed.”
• Master a New Language SMART Goal: Specify a target fluency level (e.g., intermediate) within a certain time frame (e.g., 12 months). Example: “I will achieve intermediate fluency in French within 12 months by taking two language classes per week, practicing speaking with a language exchange partner for at least 30 minutes daily, and completing a language proficiency test with a score of B2 or higher.”
• Enhance Critical Thinking Improve the ability to analyze information critically, make informed decisions, and solve complex problems. SMART Goal: Set a measurable goal, such as solving a specific number of complex problems or puzzles each week, making it achievable through regular exercises. Example: “I will solve at least three logic puzzles and write one critical analysis essay each week for the next six months to improve my critical thinking skills.”
• Complete a Degree Graduating with a specific degree, such as a bachelor’s or master’s, can be a long-term educational goal. SMART Goal: Make it time-bound by setting a graduation date (e.g., completing a bachelor’s degree in four years) and measurable by tracking course completion progress. Example: “I will complete my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology within four years by following my academic advisor’s recommended course plan, attending all required courses, and submitting all assignments on time.”
• Expand Cultural Awareness Commit to learning about different cultures, fostering tolerance, and embracing diversity. SMART Goal: For example, set a time-bound goal to learn about a new culture every month, and measure your progress by tracking the number of cultures you’ve explored. Example:  “I will learn about a new culture every month by reading books, watching documentaries, and engaging with native speakers online, aiming to explore at least 12 different cultures over the next year.”
• Advance Technological Proficiency Improve your computer and technology skills to stay competitive in the digital age. SMART Goal: Specify a technology skill or certification you want to achieve within a set timeframe (e.g., obtaining a programming certification within six months). Example: “I will earn a certification in web development within the next eight months by dedicating at least 15 hours per week to online courses, building three functional websites, and passing the certification exam.”
• Develop Public Speaking Skills Work on your ability to confidently and effectively communicate your ideas in public settings. SMART Goal:  Plan to join a public speaking club and set measurable goals like participating in a certain number of speaking engagements each month. Example: “I will join a local public speaking club and deliver at least one prepared speech each month, with the goal of earning my Competent Communicator designation within one year.”
• Excel in a Specific Subject Choose a subject you’re passionate about and aim to become an expert in it. SMART Goal: Define what “excel” means (e.g., achieving an A grade) and set a timeframe (e.g., by the end of the academic year) for this achievement. Example: “I will achieve an A grade in all my mathematics courses this academic year by attending additional tutoring sessions, practicing with problem sets daily, and seeking clarification from my professors.”
• Boost Information Literacy Learn to navigate and evaluate information sources effectively. SMART Goal: Set measurable benchmarks, like evaluating a specific number of online sources critically each week, and allocate regular time for improvement. Example:  “I will critically evaluate at least five online sources for reliability and accuracy each week, ensuring that I have the necessary skills to discern credible information by the end of this semester.”
• Participate in Research Engage in meaningful research projects to deepen your understanding of a particular field. SMART Goal: Establish a timeline for research projects, with milestones and deadlines, making it time-bound and measurable. Example: “I will complete my research project on climate change impacts in coastal areas by the end of this academic year, including data collection, analysis, and final presentation.”
• Build Leadership Skills Develop qualities such as teamwork, decision-making, and motivation to become an effective leader. SMART Goal: Specify leadership roles or responsibilities you aim to take on within a certain time frame (e.g., leading a team within a year) and track your progress. Example: “I will take on the role of team leader for our group project next semester, and I will aim to improve team cohesion, delegate tasks effectively, and lead meetings efficiently.”
• Improve Time Management Enhance your ability to prioritize tasks, set goals, and meet deadlines efficiently. SMART Goal: Set measurable goals for time management, like allocating a specific amount of time to each task, and track your efficiency over time. Example: “I will create a detailed weekly schedule, allocating specific time blocks for studying, assignments, and personal activities, with the aim of increasing my productivity and meeting all deadlines.”
• Strengthen Writing Skills Work on your writing abilities, aiming to write clear, persuasive, and well-structured content. SMART Goal: Aim to complete a certain number of writing assignments or articles each month, making it both measurable and achievable. Example:  “I will write and publish one well-researched article on a relevant topic each month, aiming to improve my writing skills.”
• Expand Your Network Set a goal to build a diverse network of professional and academic contacts. SMART Goal: Set a goal to connect with a specific number of new contacts within your field each quarter, making it measurable and time-bound. Example: “I will attend at least two professional networking events or conferences every quarter, aiming to connect with a minimum of 20 new contacts within my industry by the end of the year.”
• Achieve Financial Literacy Learn about personal finance, budgeting, investing, and saving for your future. SMART Goal: Establish a timeframe for when you’ll complete courses or milestones related to financial literacy. Example: “I will complete a series of financial literacy courses within the next six months, including budgeting, investing, and retirement planning, and apply this knowledge to create a personal financial plan.”
• Promote Environmental Awareness Educate yourself about environmental issues and sustainable practices to contribute to a greener world. SMART Goal: Set measurable goals, such as reducing personal waste by a specific percentage each month, and track your environmental impact. Example: “I will reduce my personal carbon footprint within the next year by implementing sustainable practices in my daily life, such as using public transportation and reducing single-use plastics.”
• Enhance Soft Skills Develop interpersonal skills like empathy, adaptability, and conflict resolution for improved personal and professional relationships. SMART Goal: Specify the soft skills you want to develop and set measurable targets, like resolving a certain number of conflicts or demonstrating empathy in specific situations. Example: “I will actively practice empathy in my interactions with colleagues and seek out at least three opportunities to mediate conflicts or disagreements constructively each year.”
• Become an Active Learner Cultivate a lifelong love for learning and seek out opportunities for continued education. SMART Goal: For example, commit to enrolling in a certain number of online courses or attending workshops each year. Example: “I will enroll in at least two online courses or workshops related to my field every quarter, with the aim of gaining new knowledge and skills that benefit my career.”
• Contribute to Community Service Dedicate time to volunteering or community service projects to make a positive impact on your community. SMART Goal: Set a time-bound goal to dedicate a specific number of hours to volunteer work each month, tracking your contributions. Example: “I will volunteer at a local community center for at least 10 hours per month, focusing on initiatives that address food insecurity, starting this month and continuing for the next year.”
• Pursue Higher Education Set a long-term goal to pursue a doctorate or other advanced degrees to become an expert in your chosen field. SMART Goal: For example, plan your advanced degree journey with specific application deadlines and course completion timelines.

When setting educational goals, it’s helpful to break them down into long-term and short-term goals. This way, you can stay focused on achieving smaller milestones while working towards more significant objectives. Let’s look at some examples for each.

Examples of Long-Term Goals

• Earn a college degree
• Pursue a career change
• Become fluent in another language
• Complete a professional certification

Examples of Short-Term Goals

• Improve your grades
• Learn a new skill
• Take an online course
• Join a club or organization

The Path to Achieving Educational Goals

Goal setting techniques.

To set your educational goals effectively, it’s important to follow some core goal-setting techniques. For starters, make your goals SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This will help you create actionable steps to achieve them.

• Instead of stating “get better grades,” opt for “improve my overall GPA from 3.0 to 3.5 within two semesters.” This goal is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant to your educational success, and has a clear timeline.
• Break your larger goals into smaller, achievable milestones. By taking baby steps, you’ll build momentum, which is crucial for continuous progress. Celebrate your small victories along the way to keep yourself motivated and on track.
• Visualization can be a powerful tool for goal setting. Picture yourself achieving the desired results and imagine the emotions associated with success. This mental reinforcement helps deepen your commitment to your goals and maintain your focus.

Don’t forget the importance of self-care to support your academic journey. Ensure you get enough sleep, eat well, and engage in regular physical activity. A healthy mind and body contribute to effective learning and overall academic success.

Monitoring and Adapting Your Educational Goals

Effective tracking methods.

To make sure you’re on track with your educational goals, it’s a good idea to use some effective tracking methods. Keep a journal or spreadsheet where you list your goals, their deadlines, and your progress. This will help you visualize your path and see if any adjustments are necessary.

Another excellent method is setting up milestones for each goal. These smaller, achievable steps make tackling larger objectives more manageable. As you reach each milestone, celebrate your progress and reassess whether your current strategy is working or if you need to revise your approach.

Redirection Techniques

If you find that your progress toward an educational goal is stalling, it’s time to implement some redirection techniques. First, take a step back and reevaluate the goal itself. Is it still relevant, or has your situation changed? If the goal needs to be modified, don’t hesitate to make appropriate adjustments, such as extending the deadline or altering its scope.

Next, examine any external factors that could be hindering your progress. Perhaps a change in your schedule, additional responsibilities, or a lack of resources is making it difficult for you to move forward. In these cases, consider seeking support from friends, family, or mentors who can help alleviate some of these obstacles.

Stay flexible and willing to adapt. Sometimes, you’ll need to change your course of action to continue making progress. This could involve acquiring new skills, seeking additional resources, or even redefining your educational goals altogether. Remember that success is often dependent on your ability to learn, grow, and adjust along your educational journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what are some common educational goals for students.

Students often set goals to improve their academic performance, enhance time management skills, develop effective study habits, and participate in extracurricular activities. Some examples include aiming for a higher GPA, completing homework on time, or joining a club or sports team.

2. How can high school students set achievable academic goals?

To set achievable academic goals, high school students can follow these steps:

• Reflect on their strengths and weaknesses in different subjects.
• Define specific, measurable, and realistic goals.
• Break down goals into smaller steps to work on gradually.
• Set deadlines to track progress.
• Seek support from parents, teachers, and friends.
• Regularly review and adjust goals as needed.

3. What are examples of personal goals for students of different ages?

For younger students:

• Develop reading and writing skills.
• Learn basic math concepts.
• Improve social and communication skills.

For middle school students:

• Master a new subject or skill, such as a musical instrument or a new language.
• Strengthen problem-solving abilities.
• Develop healthy study habits and time management skills.

For high school students:

• Prepare for college or vocational training.
• Enhance leadership skills and engage in community service.
• Pursue interests and passions outside of the classroom.

4. How can schools improve with goal-setting strategies?

Schools can improve by encouraging teachers and students to set clear, achievable goals. Administrators can provide resources and support to help students reach those goals. Schools may also implement goal-setting workshops, train teachers in goal-setting techniques, provide regular feedback and assessments, and foster a positive environment that encourages perseverance and growth.

5. Can you provide examples of goals for a 5th-grade child?

Examples of goals for a 5th-grade child might include:

• Improve their reading speed and comprehension.
• Master multiplication and division facts.
• Develop effective note-taking skills.
• Actively participate in class discussions and presentations.
• Build teamwork skills in group projects.

6. What are the steps to achieve education goals for college students?

College students can achieve their education goals by following these steps:

• Define specific, achievable, and relevant goals that align with their interests and career plans.
• Develop a detailed action plan, including deadlines and resources needed.
• Connect with a mentor, professor, or advisor for guidance and support.
• Engage in relevant extracurricular activities or internships to gain hands-on experience.
• Continuously monitor progress and adjust goals as necessary.
• Celebrate milestones and accomplishments along the way.
• What Are Smart Goals? - Examples, How-To, Best Practices
• 10 Examples of Career Goals [Professional Advancement]
• 5 Year Goals: Craft Your Actionable Plan
• 15 Personal Goals Examples for Work
• 5 Smart Answers to "What Are Your Career Goals?"
• Goal Setting: 25 Performance Review Phrases Examples

School operations

Individual Education Plans (IEPs)

• The importance of an individual education plan
• How to develop an individual education plan
• SMART goals
• Related plans

The short-term goals in the IEP should be SMART:

The short-term SMART goals should be described in a manner that includes observable actions, a reasonable timeframe for accomplishing them and criteria that make it possible to measure the extent of the student’s progress.

Short-term SMART goals should lead to the achievement of long-term goals.

Some examples of SMART goals are available in the IEP summary guide on the Resources tab .

Reviewed 18 August 2022

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Growth mindset

Course: growth mindset   >   unit 3, how to write a smart goal.

• Activity: Write your own SMART goal
• Activity: How can we supercharge our goals?

Good goals are SMART:

S for specific.  A goal should be linked to one activity, thought, or idea.

M for measurable.  A goal should be something you can track and measure progress toward.

A for actionable.  There should be clear tasks or actions you can take to make progress toward a goal.

R for realistic . A goal should be possible to achieve.

T for timely.  A goal should fall within a specific time period.

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Video transcript

• 9 January, 2024

How to Write SMART IEP Goals (With Examples)

As schools and districts continue to navigate a changing legal landscape with respect to individual education programs, setting appropriate IEP goals as part of every student’s transition out of secondary education has become more crucial than ever. 

Recent landmark cases have highlighted the importance of providing high-quality IEPs that lead to measurable progress. Moreover, legal experts have identified the transition planning process as a weak spot for many institutions leading to increased exposure to litigation for those who overlook this key step in special education. 

To help ensure your transition plans provide the best possible outcomes for students and minimize the probability of legal action, we’ve consulted with Dr Hulett – an author and leading voice in special education. 

In this article, Dr Hulett shares his blueprint for creating SMART goals that ensure transition services are compliant with the latest changes in IEP legislation and provide meaningful results for students.

Key takeaways:

• Recent Supreme Court rulings have put unprecedented weight on substantive compliance for IEPs.
• Transition planning is seen as the most vulnerable aspect of an IEP from a legal standpoint.
• SMART annual goals are the best way to ensure the transition plan and IEP’s effectiveness and compliance.
• From post-secondary education to self-advocacy and communication, Dr Hulett shares useful examples of smart IEP goals.

SMART IEP goals and substantive compliance

With the U.S. Supreme Court’s rulings in Endrew F. v. Douglas County Schools (2017) and Perez v. Sturgis (2023), substantive compliance has never been more important. Substantive compliance is essentially the responsibility of a school district to create and provide a quality IEP that results in measurable progress. 

The Endrew F. case established that every child “must make progress in light of their unique circumstances … and “the child’s IEP must be reasonably ambitious.” In the Perez case, the High Court determined that parents do not need to exhaust administrative remedies prior to seeking financial damages via additional federal statutes (ADA, etc.). Dr Hulett comments that “the combined decisions have resulted in the raising of the bar for school districts with respect to providing a FAPE and that the parents can more easily and quickly sue districts for financial damages when FAPE violations occur. This is certainly not a good recipe for districts that are not ensuring high quality, individualized IEPs.” 

He goes on to say: “In the past couple of years, we have observed an increase in transition planning-related due process filings and litigation. The general belief among special education law experts is that attorneys have identified transition planning as a weak area in the IEP process and are using this area as a trojan horse of sorts to initiate formal complaints and litigation.” 

One of the most common legal issues with a non-compliant transition plan is often tracked back to the annual goals and objectives. “All too often annual IEP goals and objectives are not individualized, linked to the PLAAFP, measurable, and they do not have baselines.” 

So, how do school districts protect themselves from litigation, due process filings, and ensure each child has a truly individualized transition plan in his or her IEP?  

According to Dr Hulett: “The best way to create a truly individualized, compliant, and meaningful transition plan and IEP is to ensure each annual goal and objective is SMART.” 

Our Transition Planning Rubric is designed to support district leaders and educators in guiding their teams towards excellence in transition planning.

It provides comprehensive criteria that cover the breadth of transition planning, from gauging student engagement to evaluating post-secondary goals and services.

Why Use This Rubric?

• Tailored Feedback:  Utilize a structured scoring system to evaluate and enhance individual transition plans.
• Fillable Format:  Conveniently fill out the rubric digitally or print it for hands-on collaboration.
• Action-Oriented Guidance:  Benefit from a clearly defined path towards creating robust and legally compliant IEPs.

Expand your team’s capabilities and improve the success of IEP meetings.

How to create SMART IEP goals for transition

Smart goals.

Here are the key elements Dr Hulett advises to consider when developing SMART IEP goals and short-term objectives:

Specific (S) : The goal or objective should be clear, specific, and well-defined. It should focus on a particular skill or outcome that the student needs to achieve.

Measurable (M) : The goal or objective should include a way to measure or quantify the student’s progress or success. This could be through data collection, assessments, observations, or other measurable indicators.

Achievable (A) : The goal or objective should be realistic and attainable for the student, taking into account their abilities, resources, and supports available. It should consider the student’s current level of functioning and set reasonable expectations for growth.

Relevant (R) : The goal or objective should be relevant and directly related to the student’s transition needs and post-secondary goals. It should address skills or outcomes that are important for the student’s successful transition to adulthood, employment, education, or independent living.

Time-bound (T) : The goal or objective should have a specific timeline or target date for completion. This helps create a sense of urgency and allows for progress monitoring and adjustments as needed.

Short-term objectives

When writing short-term objectives, which are steps or benchmarks that lead to the achievement of the overall goal, Dr. Hulett recommends considering the following additional elements:

• Break down the goal into smaller, manageable objectives that can be achieved within shorter timeframes.
• Each objective should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
• The objectives should build upon each other and contribute to the overall attainment of the goal.

SMART IEP goals and short-term objectives in action

To demonstrate this approach in practice, let’s consider a SMART IEP goal for a student’s transition planning:

SMART goal : By the end of the academic year, the student will independently research and apply to two post-secondary institutions that align with their career interests.

Short-term objective 1 : By [date], the student will research at least three post-secondary institutions and compare their programs, admission requirements, and career opportunities.

Short-term objective 2 : By [date], the student will attend college fairs or information sessions to gather further details about the two preferred post-secondary institutions.

Short-term objective 3 : By [date], the student will complete and submit applications to the two chosen post-secondary institutions, including all required documents and essays.

Remember to review and revise the goals and objectives periodically to ensure they remain relevant and appropriate for the student’s evolving needs and progress. Collaboration with the student, family, and IEP team is crucial in developing effective and meaningful transition goals and short-term objectives.

5 Examples of SMART IEP goals for transition

Drawing on his years of experience working with teachers and districts across the country, here are Dr Hulett’s top examples of measurable transition goals for students with IEPs that include baseline scores and methods of evaluation:

Note: For ease of understanding and application, specific measurements were not used in the baselines below. Although not a requirement, quantitative baselines are preferred as they are discreet, easily measured, and easy to determine the degree of progress made in a given time period. 

1. Post-secondary education

Baseline : The student is currently unable to complete a college application.

Goal : By [date], the student will identify and apply to three post-secondary institutions. The student’s progress will be evaluated based on the completion of college applications and submission confirmation.

2. Employment

Baseline : The student has minimal knowledge of career interests and limited exposure to job-seeking skills.

Goal : By [date], the student will participate in a vocational assessment and identify two potential career paths to explore further. The student’s progress will be evaluated based on completion of the vocational assessment and the identification of career options.

3. Independent living skills

Baseline : The student requires assistance in managing personal finances and has limited experience in household tasks.

Goal : By [date], the student will independently create and follow a monthly budget, including income, expenses, and savings. The student’s progress will be evaluated through periodic checks of the budget and financial records.

4. Community engagement

Baseline : The student has limited involvement in community organizations or activities.

Goal : By [date], the student will actively participate in at least one community organization or club related to their interests for a specific number of hours per month. The student’s progress will be evaluated through documentation of participation hours and involvement in community activities.

5. Self-advocacy and communication

Baseline : The student requires support in expressing their needs and preferences in academic or social settings.

Goal : By [date], the student will independently advocate for their accommodations in a classroom or work setting. The student’s progress will be evaluated through observation, self-reporting, and feedback from teachers or supervisors.

Learn more about developing self-advocacy IEP goals and their importance in transition planning. 

More on SMART IEP goals

A transition goal is SMART when it is clear, quantifiable, realistic, aligned with the student’s needs, and has a defined timeline for achievement.

SMART goals guide the creation of individualized, compliant transition plans with measurable objectives for students’ successful move to adulthood.

Non-compliant transition plans increase the risk of litigation and due process filings against school districts for not meeting IEP standards.

Writing SMART IEP goals for transition: Next steps

It’s important to note that the specific baseline scores and methods of evaluation may vary depending on the student’s individual circumstances, available assessment tools, and resources. The examples of SMART IEP goals laid out by Dr. Hulett, provide a general framework for developing measurable transition objectives, but it’s crucial to individualize the goals and evaluation methods based on the student’s unique needs and context. 

“Regular progress monitoring and collaboration with the student, family, and IEP team will help ensure the goals are meaningful and achievable. Individualization, careful measurement, and the appropriate application of specially designed instruction are the hallmarks of a quality and substantively compliant transition plan.”

With Ori’s Transition Curriculum you can greatly facilitate the teaching of essential skills needed for post-secondary success while meeting IEP goals and demonstrating compliance. Get in touch today to discover how your school or district can benefit from our engaging curriculum and progress-tracking tools.

Jon Izak is the founder and CEO of Ori Learning.

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Learning Goals and Objectives

Step one: learning goals and objectives.

Although the terms “goals” and “objectives” are often used interchangeably, it can be helpful to distinguish between these two concepts. Instructors should articulate for students both the goals and objectives of a course.

Learning Goals

Goals  refer to big picture items in terms of content—what you want students to know, learn, encounter, or become familiar with in your course. Goals often focus on the “body of knowledge” an instructor intends to cover during a course. For example, an Introduction to the History of Christianity course may have the following goals:

• Introducing the basic arc of the history of Christianity
• Exposure to the main theological issues Christians have addressed
• Familiarity with the diversity of Christian thought

Learning Objectives

Objectives  are more specific than goals in terms of student behavior—what you want students to be able to  do  by the end of the course. Therefore, learning objectives should carefully consider students’ abilities and knowledge coming into the course. In articulating objectives, it may be helpful to complete this prompt:

“At the end of this course, students will be able to __________.”

Notice how this forces the instructor to think in terms of tasks that are  specific  and  measurable . It also encourages the instructor to break down tasks into discrete cognitive processes. For example, “writing a research paper” seems to many instructors like a single task. But it involves mastery and synthesis of many component skills, such as reading and understanding source material or data, identifying an argument, enlisting appropriate evidence, organizing paragraphs, etc.

To push for greater clarity and specificity, use  action verbs  in your objectives. Here are some examples of strong learning objectives, with the action verb in bold. Note that less specific and less measurable terms—like “know”—are absent:

• List  the key chemical features and characteristics of basic food ingredients
• Identify  primary and secondary audiences of a text
• Apply  the economic concepts of “efficiency” and “equity” to government policy
• Evaluate  the strengths and weaknesses of information management models.

The appropriate  action verbs  for your learning objectives are determined by (1) the material; and (2) the level of thinking you want students to achieve. Some material, like atomic weights or conjugations of verbs, lends itself to simple memory. Here, “list,” “recite,” or “identify” might be good corresponding action verbs. But you likely want students to be able to do more than demonstrate that they have memorized something. You may also want them to solve equations or write sentences. Instructors need not think of moving students past but expanding and building upon lower-order thinking (e.g., remembering).

Alignment and Learning Taxonomies

Learning goals and objectives serve as the controlling factor of  alignment  for the course. Instructors should be able to articulate how all course components—learning activities and assessment—help achieve or assess the learning objectives (Fink, 2013).  Taxonomies of Learning  can help instructors determine the level of thinking that is appropriate to their course and the corresponding verbs, question stems, and potential learning activities (see  Verbs and more for Bloom's Taxonomy ).

Fink, L. D. (2003).  Creating significant learning experiences: An integrated  approach to designing college courses . San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass A Wiley Imprint.

Wiggins, G. P., & McTighe, J. (2008).  Understanding by design . Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

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How to Set and Achieve Professional Development Goals for Teachers

Professional development is crucial for teachers. It not only strengthens teaching skills but also improves student outcomes and supports career growth. This blog post outlines a comprehensive approach to setting and achieving professional development goals for teachers, guiding you through each step with clear, actionable advice.

What are Professional Development Goals for Teachers?

Professional development goals for teachers are specific, actionable objectives aimed at enhancing their teaching skills, knowledge, and effectiveness. These goals are designed to help teachers improve their instructional techniques, stay updated with the latest educational trends, meet certification requirements, and ultimately improve student learning outcomes. Professional development goals can encompass a wide range of areas, including classroom management, curriculum planning, technology integration, and personal growth.

How to Set Development Goals for Teachers?

Follow these steps to set meaningful and achievable professional goals that lead to continuous improvement and better educational outcomes for students.

Step 1: Reflect on your current practice

Start by reflecting on your teaching practices, considering what’s working well and what areas might need improvement. Take time to assess your strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, seek feedback from students, colleagues, and administrators to gain valuable insights into areas you may not have considered.

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Step 2: Identify areas for growth

Determine which skills or knowledge areas you want to develop. This could include classroom management , subject expertise, technology integration, or any other relevant area. Consider the needs of your students and think about what changes in your teaching practice could better support their learning.

Step 3: Set SMART goals

Make sure your goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. For example, instead of a vague goal like “improve classroom management,” aim for something more specific like “implement three new classroom management strategies and observe a decrease in disruptive behavior.” Make sure that your goals are realistic given your current circumstances, relevant to your professional needs and school objectives, and have a set deadline for achieving them.

Step 4: Create an action plan

Break down your goals into smaller, actionable steps to make them more manageable and less overwhelming by creating an action plan . Identify the resources you need, such as time, training materials, or support from colleagues. Find a mentor or join a professional learning community to support your growth. Collaborative support can be very motivating and helpful.

Step 5:Implement your plan

Start working on the steps outlined in your action plan. Begin with small, manageable tasks to build momentum and stay flexible, being prepared to adjust your plan as needed. If something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to change your approach.

Step 6:Monitor progress and reflect

Regularly check your progress towards your goals and keep a journal or use a tracking tool to document your achievements and challenges. Take time to reflect on what you’ve learned and how you’ve grown. Reflective practice helps reinforce learning and identify new areas for improvement.

Step 7:Adjust and set new goals

Assess whether you’ve met your goals. If not, consider what barriers prevented success and how you might overcome them in the future. Recognize and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small, to maintain motivation. Once you’ve achieved your goals, set new ones to continue your professional growth.

Examples of Professional Development Goals for Teachers

Here are several examples of professional development goals that teachers might set and how to achieve them. Using Creately’s visual collaboration platform, you can further streamline the achievement of these goals.

Short-Term Goals for Teachers

Enhance classroom management skills.

Aim to implement three new classroom management strategies to create a more conducive learning environment and reduce disruptive behavior.

• Create flowcharts to outline and visualize the new classroom management strategies, making it easier to understand and implement each step.
• Use mind maps to brainstorm and organize different classroom management techniques.
• Set up a timeline or Kanban board to track the implementation and effectiveness of each strategy.

Integrate technology into teaching

Complete an online course on educational technology by December and incorporate at least two new digital tools into your lessons to increase student engagement. Creately software for education offers various visual tools for note taking , lesson planning, teaching, and interacting with students. You can use it to deliver exceptional student experiences through multiple ways of interacting and sharing content online.

Improve student engagement

Develop and use interactive teaching methods, such as group work and hands-on activities, to increase student participation by 20% over the next semester. One such method can be incorporating visual learning methods such as graphic organizers and diagrams to help students understand concepts faster and memorize them better.

Strengthen parent-teacher communication

Create and implement a plan to improve communication with parents, such as sending regular updates about classroom activities and student progress, to foster a supportive learning environment.

Improve writing instruction

Focus on improving your methods for teaching writing. Attend a writing workshop, implement new writing exercises, and track improvements in students' writing skills over the semester.

Incorporate differentiated instruction

Develop and implement strategies for differentiated instruction to meet the diverse learning needs of students, ensuring that all students have access to the curriculum and can achieve their full potential.

Expand professional network

Join educational organizations or online teacher communities to connect with other educators, share resources, and gain new insights into effective teaching practices.

Long-Term Goals for Teachers

Advance subject knowledge.

Enroll in a subject-specific course or attend a seminar to deepen your knowledge in your teaching area. For example, a science teacher might take an advanced biology course to stay current with new discoveries.

Develop assessment techniques

Learn and apply three new formative assessment methods by the end of the school year to better gauge student understanding and provide more effective feedback.

Promote inclusive education

Participate in workshops or training sessions on cultural competency and inclusive teaching strategies to better address the diverse needs of students in your classroom.

Foster professional collaboration

Join or form a Professional Learning Community (PLC) within your school to collaborate with colleagues on shared goals and challenges, enhancing your teaching practice through collective learning.

Improve leadership skills

Take on a leadership role within your school or district, such as leading a committee or mentoring new teachers, to develop your leadership abilities and contribute to school improvement efforts.

Commit to continuous learning

Set a goal to read at least one educational book per month and participate in relevant online webinars to stay informed about the latest educational research and trends. Track your goals using this goal tracking worksheet.

Improve self-care and work-life balance

Learn and practice stress management techniques, set boundaries to ensure personal time, and seek support when needed to maintain a healthy work-life balance, reducing burnout and increasing overall job satisfaction.

Develop data-driven instruction skills

Learn how to effectively collect, analyze, and use student data to inform your teaching practices. This goal could involve attending a workshop on data analysis or collaborating with a data specialist.

Boost collaboration with special education staff

Set a goal to improve your collaboration with special education teachers. This could involve regular meetings to discuss student progress and share strategies for accommodating diverse learning needs.

Implement project-based learning (PBL)

Develop and implement at least one major project-based learning unit during the school year. This approach helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills through hands-on projects.

Increase literacy across the curriculum

Focus on integrating literacy strategies across all subject areas. Attend literacy training sessions and apply new techniques to help students improve their reading and comprehension skills in all classes.

Teacher Professional Development Ideas

Here are some professional development ideas teachers can use to stay current with educational trends, refine their teaching practices, and contribute to their professional growth.

1. Workshops and seminars

Participate in workshops and seminars on various educational topics, such as classroom management, differentiated instruction, or new teaching methodologies. These sessions often provide hands-on activities and practical strategies that can be immediately applied in the classroom.

2. Online courses and webinars

Enroll in online courses and webinars to gain flexibility in your learning schedule. There are many platforms that offer a wide range of topics, from subject-specific content to general teaching strategies.

3. Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)

Join or form a PLC within your school or district. PLCs are groups of educators who meet regularly to discuss and share effective practices, analyze student data, and support each other in improving their teaching methods.

4. Peer observations

Engage in peer observations to learn from colleagues. Observing other teachers’ classrooms can provide new ideas and insights into different teaching styles and strategies. Follow up with reflective discussions to maximize the learning experience.

5. Mentorship programs

Participate in mentorship programs, either as a mentor or mentee. Experienced teachers can offer valuable guidance and support to newer educators, while mentors can gain fresh perspectives and refine their own practices.

6. Educational conferences

Attend local, national, or international educational conferences. Conferences provide opportunities to learn from experts, attend workshops, and network with other educators. Examples include the ISTE Conference, ASCD Conference, and NCTM Annual Meeting.

7. Action research

Conduct action research in your classroom. Identify a specific issue or area for improvement, implement a strategy, and collect data to evaluate its effectiveness. This systematic approach can lead to meaningful changes in your teaching practice.

8. Collaborative projects

Work on collaborative projects with other teachers. This could involve co-planning and co-teaching units, creating interdisciplinary lessons, or developing school-wide initiatives. Collaboration fosters creativity and can lead to innovative teaching practices.

9. Reflective journaling

Keep a reflective journal to document your teaching experiences, challenges, and successes. Regular reflection helps you to critically analyze your practice, recognize areas for improvement, and celebrate achievements.

10. Self-care workshops

Attend workshops focused on teacher well-being and self-care. Learning stress management techniques, work-life balance strategies, and mindfulness practices can help you maintain your health and prevent burnout.

Setting and achieving professional development goals for teachers is a dynamic and ongoing process. By following these steps, you can improve your teaching skills, increase student outcomes, and advance your career. Remember, the key to professional growth is a commitment to continuous learning and reflection.

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Amanda Athuraliya is the communication specialist/content writer at Creately, online diagramming and collaboration tool. She is an avid reader, a budding writer and a passionate researcher who loves to write about all kinds of topics.

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