What's wrong with "magic-wand thinking" when it comes to goals?
Magic-wand thinking is when you define a goal by its outcome — "I want my school's test scores to improve by 15%" — without working backward to the specific changes in practice that would produce that result. It skips the messy middle where all the real work happens.
Test scores aren't something you can do. They're a byproduct of thousands of daily decisions by dozens of teachers over the course of a year. If your goal doesn't connect to specific, controllable actions, it's not a goal — it's a wish.
The antidote is to work backward: What teaching practices would produce these results? What would need to change about current practice? What support would teachers need to make those changes? What would I need to do daily to provide that support? Now you have something actionable.
More on Goal-Setting and Achievement
Why aren't SMART goals enough for school leaders?
SMART goals are useful for one specific purpose: monitoring progress toward a measurable target.
What's the difference between a purpose goal and a progress goal?
A purpose goal is the reason you're doing the work — the big, meaningful outcome you're pursuing.
How do I stay on track with goals throughout the school year?
The school year has a natural rhythm that works against sustained goal pursuit.
Answered by Justin Baeder, PhD, Director of The Principal Center and author of three books on instructional leadership.