The Importance of Goal Setting in the Classroom

Goals don't just "happen." The members of your organization or team must sit
down together and set the goals you want to achieve. To chart your mission for
each student, one must determine what accomplishments would lead to your
vision.
Allowing students to participate in goal-setting is essential. Students are more
likely to be supportive of goals they actually helped set. Participation creates a
sense of ownership and a feeling of common destiny among those who help set
the goals. If a goal cannot be measured, it is often difficult to determine when it
has been achieved. Establish how progress will be determined.
Although accountability may be shared by teacher and student, the successful
accomplishment of goals often depends on a specific individual being held
accountable for each goal. Accountability adds a sense of urgency and purpose
to the goal. Students are more likely to do a good job if they know they will be
held accountable for the results.
Checkpoints and deadlines should be established for achieving goals. A timeline
for completing tasks can help make the goal more action-oriented. Placing a
specific completion time on a project and assigning individual accountability may
lead to a more proactive approach to achieving objectives.
Finally, the purpose of goal-setting actually goes beyond identifying the goals
your school/classroom/and student wishes to achieve. The process used to
decide priorities and targets should leave the group enthused and committed.
The involvement of others taps their ideas and creativity, which is more likely to
spark the attainment of smart objectives.