The Power of Goal Setting for Educational Equity

While educational inequity is a structural issue that requires institutional and policy changes, there are micro-level interventions that can support students’ success and achievement involving visioning and personal reflection.  If you get a chance, take a look at this 2015 study by Schippers et al. The authors argue for the significance of structured goal setting and reflective writing on student academic performance and retention. The authors note that, “overall, the results indicate that a comprehensive goal-setting intervention implemented early in students’ academic careers can significantly and substantially reduce gender and ethnic minority inequalities in achievement.” While you might find the intervention in the study to be too involved, it’s worth considering how we involve students in academic goal setting and detailed planning very early on in their college experience.  Please share your strategies!