We are a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping students succeed in the classroom and in their future endeavors. If you feel your web visitors or newsletter readers may benefit from this information, please feel free to use all or parts of this article. Thank you.

John Bishop

Executive Director

Why Teach Students About Goal Setting?

In a study of 1,050 adults ranging from 28 60 years of age, only thirty six people (3.6%) learned how to set and achieve goals when they were in school.

The breakdown is very significant:

• 31 learned from private schools
• 3 from their parents
• 2 learned about goal setting in public schools.

Interestingly, 96% of these adults who had not learned about goal setting said that their lives would have been improved if they had learned those life skills in school.

We can positively impact a young person s life when we teach students how to use the goal setting principles to take more ownership of their education. When that happens their academic achievement will increase, they will make better decisions, take more responsibility, have a greater sense of purpose and they will be more involved in school activities.

An effective goal setting curriculum should have three underlying themes:

1. Parents and teachers want you to succeed, but you have to help them!

2. Teachers are doing much more than educating you on science, math or English. In collaboration with your parents, they are teaching you about life, how to get along with others, how to communicate effectively, how to take responsibility, how to handle stress, and how to believe in yourself.

3. Successful people know it is important to help others.

Goal setting and educational ownership are fundamental building blocks our children need to become active participants in their education and their future success. They are valuable tools they need to succeed. With them our children will answer a resounding yes when asked, Are you giving your best effort to today s activities?

John Bishop is the Executive Director of Accent on Success, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping students succeed in the classroom and in life. He is the author of Goal Setting for Students