Classroom teachers may write goals of their own, but there are several sources of goals and
objectives that are essential for Alabama classrooms.
* The Alabama Courses of Study These are mandated by law for use in Alabama schools
and are available for every subject area. They outline the topics, goals and objectives that
are to be taught at each grade level and are referred to as the "minimum standards."
* Local curriculum guides, if available in your local school system
* Areas of emphasis dictated by the School Improvement Plan or other school-wide planning
document (Alabama Reading Initiative, for example)
* National Standards set by professional organizations, such as the National Council for
Social Studies, etc.
* Previous achievement test scores of individual students and groups of students that can help
the teacher determine which objectives have not been mastered and should be targeted