SMART+Objectives

=What are SMART objectives?=

As an AEMDD grant awardee, the Art in Action project is required to develop a set of SMART objectives. SMART is an acronym used to help organizations set objectives.


 * S pecific** - What exactly do we want to achieve?
 * M easurable** - How will we measure whether or not we are meeting our objectives?
 * A chievable** - Are our objectives attainable?
 * R ealistic** - Can we achieve our objectives with the resources available?
 * T ime** - When will we achieve our objectives?



Outcome #1: Improve the Quality of Teaching

 * **Objective:** 70% of the teachers with an artist in residence will improve the quality of their lesson plans from pre-residency to end of residency, as assessed via an observation of the implemented lesson using a scoring rubric with 10 indicators of quality.
 * **Objective:** 70% of the teachers with an artist in residence will improve the quality of their lesson plans from pre-residency to end of residency, as assessed via a content analysis of the plan using a scoring rubric with 8 indicators of quality and a checklist of 10 essential lesson plan elements.
 * **Objective:** 70% of the teachers with an artist in residence will improve the quality of their instructional practices from pre-residency to end of residency, as assessed via an observation of a lesson delivered using a scoring rubric with 8 indicators of quality.
 * **Objective:** 70% of the teachers with an artist in residence at the end of the residency will have higher quality of lesson plans and quality of instructional practices compared to control group teachers, as assessed via an observation of a classroom lesson using respective scoring rubrics with corresponding indicators of quality.

Outcome #2: Improve Student Achievement in Math and Reading

 * **Objective:** 70% of the students in classrooms with an artist in residence will have higher report card grades in math and reading (on a 5-point scale) compared to their grades in the quarter prior to when their teacher began implementing arts-infused lessons. 70% of the classrooms with an artist in residence will have higher average grades in math and reading at the end of the residency (on a 5-point scale), compared to their matched control group classrooms.
 * **Objective:** 70% of the students in grades 4 through 6 with an artist in residence during the school year will improve their scores in math and reading compared to the prior year, as assessed through the annual state standardized test results (PSSA tests). 70% of the classrooms (in grades 3 through 6) with an artist in residence will have a higher percentage of their students proficient and above in math and reading compared to their matched control group classroom, as assessed through the annual state standardized test results (PSSA tests).
 * **Objective:** In the year 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 schools with artist residencies will have a higher percentage of their students in grades 3-6 proficient and above in math and reading, compared to the percentage in 2009/2010 (the baseline year), as assessed through the annual state standardized test results (PSSA tests). Reporting on this performance measure will occur November 2012 and 2013.
 * **Objective:** In year 2013-2014, schools with artist residencies will show a statistically significant improvement in the math and reading scores of students in grades 3-6, compared to the scores in year 2009-2010 (the baseline year), as assessed through the annual state standardized test results (PSSA).

Outcome #3: Improve Student Engagement

 * **Objective:** 70% of the classrooms with an artist in residence will increase the amount of student engagement, as assessed at the end of the residency compared to before the teacher began implementing arts-infused lessons, via an observation tool with six indicators of student engagement.
 * **Objective:** 70% of the classrooms with an artist in residence will have a higher amount of student engagement compared to their matched control group classrooms, as assessed at the end of the residency via an observation tool with six indicators of student engagement.

Outcome #4: Improve Key Learning Habits Associated with the Arts

 * **Objective:** 70% of the classrooms with an artist in residence will improve their students’ learning habits, as assessed at the end of the residency compared to before the teacher began implementing arts-infused lessons, via a tool that globally assesses the classroom on eight cognitive skills and social/personal development competencies associated with the arts.