Key II: Reachable Goals
Reachable Goals at Dixie Elementary
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At Dixie Elementary, we use individual student goal setting to increase the self-efficacy of our students. Research shows that students with low self-efficacy toward a task are more likely to avoid it, while those with high self-efficacy are not only more likely to attempt the task, but they also will work harder and persist longer in the face of difficulties. Reachable student goal setting is effective for two reasons it provides students with a goal to strive toward and provides a realistic benchmark that helps students recognize their own growth. We set aside a few minutes each week for students to evaluate their progress based on their own progress in terms of improvement. (i.e. the goal is simple and measurable, can you do this more, longer, better than last week?)
The connection between self-efficacy and achievement gets stronger as students advance through school. By the time students are in college, their self-efficacy beliefs are more strongly related to their achievement than any measure of their ability. If we wish to develop high educational achievement among our students, it is essential that we begin building stronger self-efficacy as early as possible. We help students monitor their own progress and build confidence in their ability to learn. They are recognized for just knowing their goal if any adult in the building asks them and they are able to verbalize their goal they earn a reward for their class. Once students believe they can learn and achieve, teaching and learning becomes much easier. By capitalizing on students’ accomplishments, you can build their confidence to learn. Setting and measuring goals is probably the most effective classroom modification teachers can make to increase student confidence. When students achieve short-term goals, they gain an initial sense of self-efficacy for performing well, which is later substantiated as they observe progress toward longer-term goals. When it comes to goal setting, smaller is better. Help your students set small, achievable goals that can be accomplished quickly. At the beginning of the year, short-term goals that ensure immediate success are essential. Young students, in particular, are not able to focus on long-term goals....Ronald Taylor (1964) compared the goals of underachievers and achievers. He found that underachievers either had no particular goals, or if they did, aimed impossibly high. Achievers, by comparison, set realistic, attainable goals that were related to their school work. Robert Wood and Edwin Locke (1987) found a significant relationship between goals and self-efficacy: Students with a stronger sense of efficacy also set higher, but reachable, goals. Wood and Locke also pointed out that more challenging goals usually prompt higher achievement. The challenge for the teacher, then, is to assist students in setting reasonable goals for themselves. Albert Bandura and Dale Schunk (1981) showed that when elementary students are taught to divide up big goals into smaller reachable goals, good things happen: They make faster progress in learning skills or content, they learn an important self-regulation skill, and they improve their self-efficacy and interest in the task. But all students will show growth with careful thought about their achievement goals. Dale Schunk’s (1985) study of sixth grade learning disabled mathematics students showed that the best learning occurred not just when the students focused on short-term goals, but when they also had a say in goal-setting. Students showed more growth in self-efficacy and math skills when they participated in goal-setting. |
How can you get to know your students and set them on the path for success?
*For additional information about ILPs, click here (Key III). |
Inspiring Learners—Access to interest surveys, learning style inventories, and much more. Lower elementary, upper elementary, and secondary resources available. http://www.inspiringlearners.com/
Career Cruising (A Tool Being Utilized for ILPs) - Website where middle and high school students can take a personalized assessment that will lead them towards a career cluster. They can search and get interesting information on many different careers, colleges, and finical aid. You can use this login to research various careers and colleges: www.careercruising.com User Name: Kentucky Password: elementary ILPs on Career Cruising: All public schools have access to the ILP’s and if you don’t have access, you will need to ask your school guidance counselor to create account for you. www.careercruising.com/ILP Need Assistance with ILPs? Contact Amir Dayan--He is the Client Account Manager for Kentucky. You can reach him at [email protected] or 1-800-965-8541 x137 (email is the quickest). KDE’s site: http://education.ky.gov/educational/CCadv/ilp/Pages/default.aspx ILP Tutorial Portal: http://www.careercruising.com/streamingvideos/careercruising/training/ky I Have a Plan Iowa--Explore careers based on your interest. Available for Elementary (Paws in Jobland), Middle, High, College, and Adults. https://secure.ihaveaplaniowa.gov/ **Paws in Jobland is a great tool for young elementary students! http://paws.bridges.com/ihaveaplan.php |
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