1 STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES: A RHODE ISLAND CASE STUDY

As Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) are being used more to evaluate teachers, the need for research on their implementation and impact on student learning is also growing. The researcher used a case study to ask the following questions based on implementation during the 2012-2013 school year, the first full year of implementation of SLOs in Rhode Island: 1) How did the setting and ongoing monitoring of SLOs impact teachers ’ practice, as perceived by teachers, principals and district evaluators? 2) What is the most challenging aspect of the SLO process, as perceived by teachers, principals and district evaluators? 3) What is the most worthwhile aspect of the SLO process, as perceived by teachers, principals and district evaluators? Ten participants shared their views on the process and provided their perspective on teacher practice and if SLOs were viewed as successful or challenging as a new initiative. The conclusions of this study help to fill a gap in the literature regarding the teacher experience with SLOs, suggesting that while educators support the end goals of SLOs communicated by the state, they identify key issues with implementation such as flawed communication between district and teachers. District and school leaders may benefit from using the research to inform their own implementatio