How States Use Student Learning Objectives in Teacher Evaluation Systems: A Review of State Websites

Motivated by the need to improve teaching and learning and by federal priorities reflected in requirements for grant programs such as Race to the Top and the Teacher Incentive Fund, many states are developing teacher evaluation systems that include measures of individual teachers' contributions to their students' learning growth. One way to measure teacher impact is with student learning objectives (SLOs)--an alternative to the more generally used value-added modeling with standardized test scores, which may not be available or appropriate for all teachers and subjects. This report gathers information on the use of SLOs in educator evaluation systems in 30 states. It aims to inform state and local policymakers involved in creating or supporting the development of teacher evaluation systems that include SLOs. Two appendices present: (1) Searchable tables of state-by-state use of student learning objectives for educator evaluation; and (2) Links to downloadable sample student learning objective forms and guidance developed by states. [For the summary of this report, see ED544768.]