What are Objectives?

"Definition: An objective is an expression of the desired, measurable end results for a
school. They are focused on student success, performance and/or achievement.
(Bryan, p.19)

Role of Objectives in the Plan
Objectives form the centerpiece of the Strategic Plan. They are the dynamic links that
move the school toward the vision of its preferred future and the fulfillment of the
Mission. This is true to the extent that the objectives represent a commitment to
achieve defined, quantifiable results and are the bridge between the Mission and theoperational strategies. The relationship between the objectives and the Mission statement should be easily discernable. It is through achieving the objectives that the school realizes and extends its Mission.

The objectives themselves should be challenging, as well as reasonable and achievable.
They represent a calculated risk for the school community and a standard of
accountability. Their statement is the school community’s commitment to actualize
the Mission with a particular focus on desired end results for all students.
In addition to tracing the roots of objectives to the Mission statement, the objectives
should also be grounded in the State of the School assessment. In other words, there
should be a ready and easy reply to “where did this come from?”

Construction Specs for Objectives
Objectives are few in number and schoolwide in scope. Ideally, the total number of
objectives falls between three and five, a sharp contrast to a long list of more segmented
objectives each of which might target a particular department, program or service.
This small number is consistent with the imperative to move toward the realization
of the Mission and vision for the school as a whole. Limiting the number of objectives
increases the likelihood of accomplishment and endorses the commitment to
assessment and planning as an ongoing process.
There are four other important points to consider when designing objectives.

1. At least one objective should address the three areas of student faith development:
   knowledge, values and behaviors. This is the heart of the school as
   Catholic.
   
   
2. Objectives are quantifiable and include measurable components of time and
   quality. This establishes accountability and helps to sustain momentum.
   
   
3. Objectives are directed toward student growth, achievement and success.
   
   
4. Objectives identify both the year of formulation (baseline) and the date for
   realization which should be within a five-year time period. "

Taken from: Validating the Vision: An Assessment Protocol for Mission Effectiveness, Institutional Accreditation, and Strategic Planning in the Catholic High School. Mary Frances Taymans, SND, EdD National Catholic Educational Association: Washington, D.C., 1999. Page 131 - 132.

Final Objectives for Salesianum School

Objective 1: Academic Achievement
By the year 2012 - 13, Salesianum School students will demonstrate improved academic achievement as measured by:

A) An increase of 4.5 percentage points in the percentage of students taking Advanced Placement courses.

Baseline 2004 - 05: 14.5% of students took AP courses (148 students)

B) An increase of 3 percentage points in the percentage of scores of 4 or 5 on Advanced Placement tests.

Baseline 2004 - 05: 61% of AP scores were 4 or 5

C) An increase in students' average SAT-I Math scores by 5 score points

Baseline 2004 -05 (Class of 2006): Average SAT-I Math score: 567
D) An increase in students' average SAT-I Critical Reading scores by 5 score points, and in students' average SAT-I Writing scores by 5 score points

Baseline 2004 - 05 (Class of 2006): Average SAT-I Critical Reading score: 551
Baseline 2004 - 05 (Class of 2006): Average SAT-I Writing score: 539
E) An increase in the percentage of students who have taken a Fine Arts course before graduation to 35% of the student body

Baseline 2004 - 05: 31.3 % of students take at least one Fine Arts course (321 students)

F) an increase of 5 percentage points in the percentage of juniors taking three years of a foreign language

Baseline 2004 - 05: 50.3% of juniors take a third year of a foreign language (136 students)

Objective 2: Catholic and Salesian Identity and Mission
By the year 2012-13, Salesianum School students will grow in their ability to embrace the Catholic and Salesian identity and mission of the School in their lives as demonstrated by:

A) A _____ percentage point increase in the number of students earning a grade of "competency" on the Salesianum Salesian Identity Inventory

Baseline 2005 -06: _____ students earned a grade of "competency" on the
Salesianum Salesian Identity Inventory
Note: Initial baseline data will be collected for the Class of 2006 when the SSII is developed in the fall of 2005.

B) A 4.5 percentage point increase in the percentage of students participating in service activities outside of those required by the Religious Studies Department

Baseline 2003 -04: 460 students or 45.5% of the student body participated

C) A 3.7 percentage point increase in the percentage of students participating in student activities

Baseline 2003 -04: 770 students or 76.3% of the student body participated

Objective 3: College Selection
By the year 2012 -13, Salesianum School students will demonstrate improved facility at college selection so that:

A) The percentage of students applying to colleges and universities outside of Delaware will increase by 5 percentage points.

Baseline 2003 -04: 175 students (72%) of the senior class applying to colleges applied outside of Delaware

B) The percentage of students accepted to four-year colleges and universities rated as "most difficult" or better by the Peterson's Guide will increase by 5 percentage points.

Baseline 2003 -04: 26 students (10.7%) of the senior class was accepted to colleges so rated (243 seniors in the Class of 2004)

Modified 5/07 to read: The percentage of students accepted/applying to four-year colleges and universities rated as “most selective” by the Rugg’s Guide will increase by 5 percentage points.


Objective 4: Student Body Diversity and Academic Excellence (non -MSA goal)
By the school year 2012 -13, Salesianum School will become a more diverse school community and attract an academically excellent student body as demonstrated by the following:

A) A 2.54 percentage point increase in the number of minority students that attend Salesianum.

Baseline 2003 -04: 4.96 % of the student body are racial minorities (50 students)

B) A 4.1 percentage point increase in the number of students who receive need-based financial aid.

Baseline 2003 -04: 15.9 % of the student body receives need-based aid (160 students)

C) A 2 percentage point increase in the number of applicants testing in the 90th percentile and above who choose to attend Salesianum.

Baseline 2003 -04: 70 % of applicants in the 90th percentile and above enrolled at Salesianum

Objective 5: Institutional Advancement and Facilities Renewal (non -MSA goal)
By the school year 2012 -13, Salesianum School will strengthen its financial resources other than tuition revenue and provide superior quality facility as demonstrated by the following:

A) A 4 percentage point increase in the amount of school revenue derived from non-tuition sources

Baseline 2003 -04: 13% of the annual budget came from non-tuition sources

B) The percentage of alumni, parents, past parents, and friends of the School that contribute to the Annual Fund will increase by the following percentage points:

Alumni: increase by 3 percentage points
Parents: increase by 2 percentage points
Past parents: increase by 5 percentage points
Friends: increase by 2 percentage points

Baseline 2003 - 04: 22% of alumni contributed to the Annual Fund
Baseline 2003 - 04: 48% of parents contributed to the Annual Fund
Baseline 2003 - 04: 32% of past parents in the Development Office database
contributed to the Annual Fund
Baseline 2003 - 04: 33% of friends of the School in the Development Office database contributed to the Annual Fund

C) A 100 percent on-time completion rate of the 1999-2012 Facilities Master Plan.

Baseline 2003 - 04: The 1999-2012 Facilities Master Plan has conformed to schedule
with 70% of the Plan being completed by August 2004.