Developing Learning Goals for
Student Achievement Objectives
Module 2
2017
Module 2: Developing SAO Learning Goals
What is an SAO and why are we using them
for my evaluation?
SAOs are content- and grade or coursespecific learning objectives that can be
validly measured to document student
learning over a defined and significant
period of time.
SAOs encourage and support good
teaching and learning!
Module 2: Developing SAO Learning Goals
Student Achievement Objectives consists
of three components:
Targets
Assessment(s)
Learning
Goal
Module 2: Developing SAO Learning Goals
Learning Goal
SMART Goal
• Specific : focused on the big idea and the content
standards.
• Measurable: able to be appropriately and adequately
assessed.
• Appropriate: within the educator’s control to effect
change and is important and meaningful for students to
learn during the identified time span.
• Realistic: while ambitious, is achievable for both
educators and students, during the time span identified.
• Time Bound: can be evaluated within the time specified
and under the educator’s control.
Module 2: Developing SAO Learning Goals
Learning Goal:
Students will be able to create and perform a short choreographic work
that includes creative choices based on the four main elements of dance
(body, energy, space, and time) and critique their own performance based
on these same elements.
Module 2: Developing SAO Learning Goals
Planning for a Learning Goal
 the big idea central to the discipline or course
 the standards associated with the course and big idea
 why the learning goal is important and meaningful
 how the learning goal requires students to demonstrate understanding
of the knowledge and skills associated with the standards and big idea
 in what ways students will be instructed
 the time span needed to teach the learning goal
 how the time span is appropriate and sufficient
Module 2: Developing SAO Learning Goals
…Links units, lessons, and year-to-year teaching.
…Focus daily classroom activity.
…Answers the question: Why does it matter?
Big Idea:
Understanding an art form provides a foundation for the
creative process and assessing our own artistic work, using
critical-thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making
skills, is central to artistic growth.
Module 2: Developing SAO Learning Goals
DA.912.C2.1
• Analyze movement from varying perspectives and experiment
with a variety of creative solutions to solve technical or
choreographic challenges.
DA.912.O.1.4
• Analyze, design, and facilitate an instructional sequence to
show understanding of how the structure of dance classes
relates to the overall development of the dancer.
DA.912.O.1.5
• Construct a dance that uses specific choreographic structures
to express an idea and show understanding of continuity and
framework.
DA.912.C.2.2
• Make informed critical assessment of the quality and
effectiveness of one’s own technique and performance quality,
based on criteria developed from a variety of sources, to
support personal competence and artistic growth.
Module 2: Developing SAO Learning Goals
Learning
Goal
Important and Meaningful:
Big Idea
Standards
 Dance communicates ideas
 Understand ideas conveyed
through dance
 Analyze quality of dance
 Improve communication
Module 2: Developing SAO Learning Goals
DOK 3:
Students utilize more independent thinking and action to execute
dance movement with proper technique and qualitative distinction
(e.g., elements and qualities of movement). Improvisation may be
performed as an individual, with a partner, or in a group. Students
are able to make assessments of self and others through value
statements.
Module 2: Developing SAO Learning Goals
Instructional
Strategies:
Modeling
Fishbowl
Videorecording
Rubric
Module 2: Developing SAO Learning Goals
Instruction
Instruction
Instruction
Dance
3 days a week
50 minutes
Module 2: Determining SAO Learning Goals
Rubric for Rating the Quality of
Student Achievement Objectives
Acceptable Quality
Learning Goal
Appropriately identifies and thoroughly describes an
important and meaningful learning goal, with:
A description of
what students will • the big idea and the standard(s) clearly aligned to and
measured by the learning goal,
be able to do at the
end of the course • a clear explanation of the critical nature of the learning goal
for all students in the specific grade/ course,
or grade based on
course- or grade- • a clear description of how the learning goal allows students
to demonstrate deep understanding of the content
level content
standards within the identified time span, and
standards and
• specific and appropriate instruction and strategies
curriculum.
described to teach the learning goal.
Module 2: Developing SAO Learning Goals
• What big ideas are associated with the
course(s) you teach?
• How do you ensure that your students
demonstrate high levels of cognitive rigor?
• What instruction and strategies do you use
to engage your students in learning the
meaningful goals you set for them within
the time you have available?
For more information:
Center for Assessment
www.nciea.org
[email protected]
401-316-7840