Goal Time, formerly called The Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI), is an instructional model that can be used in middle and high schools and in communities to support students to self-direct and self-regulate their actions in pursuit of goals.
Goal Time has three core components:
- Student Questions
- Teacher Objectives
- Educational Supports
Goal Time is delivered through facilitated lessons/sessions in which students learn steps to set a goal, create an action plan for attaining their goal, and monitor and adjust their goal or plan based on what they learned as they go through the Goal Time process.
Goal Time: Self-Determined Learning for Middle and High Schools can be implemented by any trained person (e.g., educators, community service providers, self-advocates, mentors) to support middle and high school students with or without disabilities to use the Goal Time process to set and go after their goals.
Goal Time: Self-Determined Learning for Middle and High Schools can be delivered in a variety of settings, including school and community settings. When delivered in schools, Goal Time can be used in any academic (e.g., English, Math) or non-academic (e.g., study skills class, transition planning) class and overlaid on any existing curriculum (e.g., Science, Art, transition or Individualized Education Program [IEP] planning).
The frequency and duration of Goal Time will vary based upon the setting and students’ support needs. Sessions could last anywhere from 10-15 minutes in inclusive general education settings to 30-45 minutes during transition planning. While implementers create individualized implementation schedules to guide delivery of Goal Time, we suggest implementers in schools support students to engage in Goal Time lessons twice per week.
Goal Time: Self-Determined Learning for Middle and High Schools is an evidence-based practice that can be used by trained facilitators to enhance their supports for students as they grow in their self-determination. Goal Time is designed to guide trained implementers as they support students to self-select goals and develop skills associated with self-determination (e.g., problem solving, decision making, self-evaluating, self-advocating). Goal Time supports students with opportunities to learn a process they can use over time to identify and go after goals that matter to them, learning about and refining their understanding and use of self-determination skills and abilities.
As students use Goal Time, they grow in their motivation. They also learn about themselves and how to go after goals. Goal Time is a cyclical process that can be used repeatedly to support students as they identify new and different goals. This leads to enhanced academic achievement, social-emotional development, employment, community engagement, and quality of life outcomes.
Goal Time materials include an implementer guide, accompanying lesson/session plans, PowerPoint instructional slidedecks, and student reflection activities in the Goal Time: Self-Determined Learning for Middle and High Schools Activity Booklet. All Goal Time training materials include case studies and examples relevant to implementing the Goal Time with middle and high school students.
Goal Time: Self-Determined Learning for Careers, formerly called the Self-Determined Career Design Model (SDCDM), is a career-focused version of Goal Time that can be used to support people to self-direct and self-regulate their actions in pursuit of their career related goals. Building on the evidence-based Goal Time practices to support self-determination, Goal Time: Self-Determined Learning for Careers is tailored to support adults to solve the overall problem of designing a career.
Goal Time: Self-Determined Learning for Careers can be used by a variety of trained facilitators, from self-advocates to community service providers to career counselors or teachers, to support anyone who wants to design their career trajectory.
Goal Time can be delivered anywhere where an individual and a facilitator interact with each other. This can be at school, at home, in the community or online!
Facilitators create regular (at least weekly) opportunities for individuals to learn and practice Goal Time. It takes about three months to work through Goal Time: Self-Determined Learning for Careers and people can work through it repeatedly with support.
Designing a career pathway is critical for success. Goal Time supports people across the life course to set goals for what they want their career to be and build systems that support them to achieve their goals.
Goal Time materials include guides for implementing, plain-language session planners, session PowerPoints, tools for supporting people with disabilities to implement, and a range of activities linked to career pathways.