You Against You: School-wide Goal Setting
"You Against You" was created by Woerther's two physical education teachers with the intent of self-improvement in personal fitness. This idea of specific goal setting and competing against one's self grew and gained momentum building common language and conversation among students and staff. Woerther's goal-setting has evolved to target one specific area for individual student growth and improvement. Students and staff set classroom goals as well as set individual learning and behavior goals. Staff members model how to write personalized goals. They teach students how to make their goals specific, measurable, attainable, results-based and time bound. In progress monitoring their own growth, students are able to identify areas for improvement as well as strengths. Students are able to assess progress on goals and determine next steps. Staff members, bus drivers, family members and classmates act as a support for goal achievement by offering constructive suggestions, encouragement and praise. The "You Against You" goal-setting program has increased effective communication among students, staff and parents as well as increased student accountability and ownership of choices.