How to Write Goals and Objectives

Overview Definitions of Goals and Objectives Purpose of Measurable Objectives Relationship Between Measurable Objectives and the Strategic Plan Elements of a Measurable Objective Methodology for Writing Measurable Objectives Tips for Writing Measurable Objectives

Overview (continued) Writing the Objectives Strategic Plan Purpose of an Evaluation Plan Types of Evaluations Writing the Evaluation Section Question and Answer Period

Definitions of Goals and Objectives Are broad statements that indicate what you hope to accomplish in school health. Create the setting for what you are proposing. Focuses on how a situation will be changed as a result of a successful project, not what a project will do.

Definitions of Goals and Objectives Provide an organized pathway to meet your higher goals in school health. Are operational and measurable. Describe specific things you will be accomplishing. Include the quantitative or qualitative degree, amount or level of achievement or change.

Definitions of Goals and Objectives Qualities of an objective: S.M.A.R.T. Specific. What kind of, or which problem is to be addressed. Measurable. How much, how many, and how well the problem/need will be resolved. Action-Oriented. Uses action verbs. Reasonable. Result you can expect to achieve. Time-bound. Gives specific data for its own achievement.

Definitions of Goals and Objectives Sample GOAL Our child nutrition program will help children learn how to make healthy food choices. and related OBJECTIVE Our child nutrition program will offer two new vegetable and two new fruit offerings per week to all students during our 6 week Healthy Eating Challenge.

Definitions of Goals and Objectives Global statements of the need or the problem(s) to be solved by your project. OBJECTIVES What it is your project will accomplish. MEASURABLE OBJECTIVES Include outcomes that define how the participants in the project will be different as a result.

Definitions of Goals and Objectives PROCESS Objectives OUTCOME Objectives

Definitions of Goals and Objectives PROCESS Objectives typically begin with words like “To develop” and “To establish” and describe a process rather than an outcome.

Definitions of Goals and Objectives An example of a process objective: To establish a district Coordinated School Health Leadership Team. Attainment measurement of this objective is that the objective was met.

Definitions of Goals and Objectives OUTCOME Objectives typically begin with words like “To increase” or “To reduce” and describe a measurable, expected outcome.

Definitions of Goals and Objectives An example of an outcome objective: To increase the average amount of daily moderate to vigorous physical activity of all students in grades k-8 by 20% . Attainment measurement of this objective is that all students increased their average daily physical activity by 20%.

Purpose of Measurable Objectives Measurable objectives enable members of the SHAC and CSH Leadership Team to: Clarify where they are going Clarify when they will get there Clarify what they will need to get there Assess whether or not they got there.

Relationship Between Objectives and a Proposal Objectives form the basis for the activities of a project. Make evaluation easier to create if objectives and outcomes are clearly stated. Create a strong sense of integration and consistency.

Elements of a Measurable Objective For an objective to be measurable, it must include: an action verb that identifies an observable behavior the conditions under which the desired result should be performed the criteria for determining how well and when the behavior is to be performed.

Elements of a Measurable Objective Use language such as: Increase Improve Eliminate Implement Maintain Seek Reduce

Worksheet for Developing Measurable Objectives

Methodology for Writing Measurable Objectives Measurable objectives are as simple to write as A-B-C-D-E. A = Audience: Who will be affected (target group) B = Behavior: The observable change (knowledge, attitude, behavior, process) that will occur in the target group because of your project.

Methodology for Writing Measurable Objectives (continued) C = Conditions: How the behaviors will be observed or measured, including the instruments to be used. D = Data: Levels of attainment that must be met in order for your project to be called a success (your definition). E = Era: Identifies when the effects of your program will be measured.

Methodology for Writing Measurable Objectives (continued) Following the A-B-C-D-E method: At the end of the three years of implementation (Era), 90% of the students in grades k-8 (Audience) will eat (Behavior) at least 3 servings of milk products per week (Conditions) as measured by increases in annual food service sales (Data).

Tips for Writing Measurable Objectives Ask the following questions before and after writing the objective: What is to be increased or decreased? How much of an increase or decrease? How realistic is the increase or decrease? To what extent are objectives OUTCOME objectives as opposed to PROCESS objectives?

Tips for Writing Measurable Objectives (continued) To what extent are the anticipated results being measured with measures that are meaningful to you, easy to do, and not too numerous? To what extent are the objectives related directly to the problem(s) to be solved and to the goal(s) of the proposal? What impact will they have on the problem(s)?

Writing the Objectives Objectives Activities Evaluation What do you propose to achieve and to what extent? What will you do to get there? How will you know what you did worked?

Writing the Objectives Objectives____Activities Measures To review, select and implement one of the TEA approved coordinated school health programs during the 2006-2007 year. Form a SHAC/CSH Leadership Team work group to review and recommend a specific program to be selected. A specific program will be selected and all teachers trained by January 2007

Purpose of an Evaluation Plan Present strategies for collecting data that will provide evidence that the proposed objectives have been met. Describes exactly how you will decide whether or not your project has been successful and achieved its objectives. Demonstrates how you will prove you achieved your objective.

Types of Evaluations -Formative/Process Evaluation -Summative/Product Evaluation

Types of Evaluations (continued) Formative/Process Evaluation -Sample Question How are we doing? Provides for ongoing monitoring of the project, focuses on processes and short-term results.

Types of Evaluations (continued) Summative/Product Evaluation -Sample Question How did we do? Measures the effectiveness of achieving objectives, and focuses on the outcomes and impacts of the project, as well as the processes that affect the outcomes.

Writing the Evaluation Use the clearly stated goals and objectives, to determine the purpose of the evaluation (what you are attempting to assess) and the questions that can be asked to determine the results of the project. Include the type of information to be collected, how it will be collected, and how the data will be analyzed.

Writing the Evaluation Section (continued) Questions to ask before and after writing the evaluation section: Will carrying it out tell you whether you have achieved your stated objectives? Will carrying it out tell you whether you were able to follow your original plan of action; and if not, why? Will carrying it out tell you whether you completed your project on time and within fiscal constraints?

Writing the Evaluation Section (continued) Will carrying it out tell you whether your project has made a difference? How much closer to your goal are you now than when you began? Is your plan realistic? Do you have the resources to capture the data? Does it measure what matters? Is it too ambitious or grandiose for the project?

Summary Goals are global statements of the need or problem being solved stated as if the problem has been solved. Measurable Objectives are S.M.A.R.T. and can be developed using the A-B-C-D-E methodology. Evaluation can be formative and/or summative and is often key to a successful programs; informs others how you will determine whether the project was successful.

Question and Answer Period

References Guide for Writing a Funding Proposal http://www.anrecs.msu.edu/dissthes/hints5.htm Measurable Objectives: If You’re Not Measuring It, You’re Not Managing It http://www.growthassociates.org/Articles/Measurable.html Leon County Schools Grant Writer’s Guide and Related Resources - Designing a Sound Evaluation http://www.tandl.leon.k.12.fl.us/grants/guide_deveval4.htm Grant Guide http://www2.njstatelib.org/njlib/grhdeval.htm The Foundation Center http://www.fdncenter.org