In this blog post, we dive into Section I of the SLLA 6990 (and Praxis 5412), which focuses on Strategic Leadership—specifically, how vision, mission, and goals function within the leadership framework of a school. Understanding this section is crucial for success on the exam and, more importantly, in effective school leadership.
Understanding the Vision, Mission, and Goals Framework
Think of vision, mission, and goals as an inverted pyramid:
-
Vision is at the wide top: broad, general, and often aspirational.
-
Mission sits in the middle: a bit more specific and action-oriented.
-
Goals are at the pointed bottom: precise, measurable, and aligned to specific needs.
The Vision Statement
Vision statements are typically sweeping and abstract. For example:
“ABC Elementary: Cultivating global citizens.”
While this sounds inspiring, it often lacks clarity or direct actionable meaning. Still, it serves as a unifying symbol for stakeholders and helps set a general direction.
The Mission Statement
Next comes the mission, which narrows the focus and offers more substance. A sample mission might be:
“At Southside High School, we cultivate a culture of dignity for educators, students, and families while empowering students to achieve.”
This brings in school-specific context, names the stakeholders, and hints at the values and focus areas of the school. It supports the vision but starts to shape action.
SMART Goals
At the base of the pyramid are the goals—where action becomes concrete. These goals should follow the SMART criteria:
-
Specific
-
Measurable
-
Attainable
-
Relevant
-
Timely
A SMART goal example:
“Lincoln Middle will increase the number of students reading at grade level by 12% as measured by the state assessment by May 2026.”
This statement identifies what’s being measured (reading), who is involved (Lincoln Middle students), by how much (12%), how it will be measured (state assessment), and the timeline (May 2026). It is data-driven and realistic, yet ambitious.
Applying This on the SLLA 6990 Exam
Many questions on the SLLA 6990 and Praxis 5412 are scenario-based. A helpful test strategy is to start with the answer choices and work backwards. This reverse-engineering helps avoid being swayed by distractors and keeps your focus on strong keywords and best practices.
Key Takeaways for the Exam (and Real Life)
-
Vision is inspirational, but not operational.
-
Mission is actionable, yet still general.
-
Goals are tactical and measurable, based on data and the SMART framework.
-
Effective leaders involve stakeholders, use data, and ensure all planning is student-centered.
Before revising your school’s strategic elements, look at the data—quantitative and qualitative. This includes test scores, stakeholder surveys, and community feedback. Then, involve your team in shaping statements that truly reflect your school’s identity and objectives.
Strategic leadership requires intention, clarity, and collaboration. Whether you're preparing for the constructed response section of the SLLA 6990 or leading a school improvement team, grounding your work in a clear vision, actionable mission, and specific goals, rooted in stakeholder input and real data, is the path forward.
Keep working through this challenging material one step at a time. As the saying goes, how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. You’ve got this.
🎥 Want to see these strategies in action? Watch the full breakdown on vision, mission, and goals for the SLLA 6990 🎥