SMART goals for tutoring are objectives that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely, providing a structured framework for both the tutor and tutee to track progress and achieve desired outcomes. Let's break down each component with tutoring-specific examples:
Understanding SMART Goals
| Component | Description | Tutoring Example |
|---|---|---|
| Specific | Clearly define what you want to achieve. Avoid vague language. | Instead of "Improve math skills," try "Master solving quadratic equations." |
| Measurable | Establish criteria for measuring progress. | "Complete 5 practice quadratic equation problems correctly in a row" or "Increase test score on quadratic equations from 60% to 80%." |
| Achievable | Set goals that are challenging but still within reach, considering resources and time. | "Master solving quadratic equations" is achievable if the student has a basic understanding of algebra. Adjust the scope or difficulty if the student is struggling significantly. |
| Realistic | Ensure the goal is relevant to the student's overall objectives and current abilities. | If the student needs to pass an algebra exam focusing on quadratic equations, mastering this topic is highly relevant and realistic. |
| Timely | Set a deadline or timeframe for achieving the goal. | "Master solving quadratic equations within the next 4 weeks" or "By the end of the month." |
Examples of SMART Goals in Tutoring
Here are some examples of SMART goals tailored for tutoring scenarios:
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Goal 1: Reading Comprehension
- Specific: Improve reading comprehension of scientific articles.
- Measurable: Increase the score on reading comprehension quizzes from an average of 65% to 85%.
- Achievable: By dedicating 3 hours per week to reading and summarizing articles.
- Realistic: Relevant for a student preparing for a science exam.
- Timely: Within the next 6 weeks.
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Goal 2: Writing Skills
- Specific: Improve essay writing skills.
- Measurable: Reduce grammatical errors in essays by 50% and improve essay structure based on tutor feedback.
- Achievable: Through weekly practice essays and revisions.
- Realistic: Aligned with the student's need to improve their grades in English class.
- Timely: By the end of the semester.
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Goal 3: Test Preparation
- Specific: Improve performance on the SAT Math section.
- Measurable: Increase the SAT Math score by 100 points.
- Achievable: By completing practice tests and focused tutoring sessions on areas of weakness.
- Realistic: Relevant for a student aiming to apply to colleges.
- Timely: Before the next scheduled SAT exam date.
Benefits of Using SMART Goals in Tutoring
- Clarity: Provides clear direction and focus for both the tutor and the student.
- Motivation: Creates a sense of progress and accomplishment as goals are met.
- Accountability: Makes it easier to track progress and identify areas needing improvement.
- Effective Use of Time: Ensures that tutoring sessions are focused on the most important areas.
As the reference text points out, a bad example of a goal is simply "I will pass my class." A better, SMART example is: "I will spend 5 hours a week working on my readings so I can be informed on what quizzes and classwork will be about." This illustrates the difference between a vague aspiration and a well-defined, actionable plan.
