Template for Using Goal Achievement Scaling and Task Attainment Scaling

Identify a discrete goal such as-- an 18-year-old whose objective is to leave foster care and live independently in a safe and affordable apartment by June 1st. On the surface of the goal, it appears that one can either is in an apartment by the date (success) or not. However, it is possible to pre-determine levels of achievement which would reflect superior achievement (+4), e.g. obtaining a safe and affordable housing near public transportation and having necessary furniture, e.g. bed, kitchen table, chairs, lamps, refrigerator and stove by Sept. 1st. I n a similar manner, it would be possible to identify a better than expected level (+3), a satisfactory level (+2), a mediocre level (+1), and no movement at all (0). The student and client would need to collect information and record the information in charts and/or progress notes to substantiate whatever rating is merited by the client’s achievement.

In addition, the process and/or methods used to assist the client to attain his/her goals (these would include worker, client, significant other tasks, etc.) should be evaluated using a similar scaling technique, task achievement scaling (+4, +3, +2, +1, 0 --corresponding to total accomplishment of the task in a timely fashion, more than expected task achievement, some achievement, little movement toward task achievement, no effort to carry out the task). The client’s achievement of tasks and the worker’s achievement of tasks can be derived by a simple formula-- summing the numbers attained for each of the tasks and dividing this sum by the total possible score.

For example, if our apartment-seeking client had agreed to 3 tasks:

Weekly visits to Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) in which he identifies all available apartments under $400 within walking distance of Main Street, Elmwood, or Hertel Avenue

The client goes to HOME 3 out of 4 weeks and jots down some but not all apartments in these vicinities and price-range </I>(You give him a score of +3 out of 4);

Call all potential landlords and to visit at least 75% of the vacant apartments. (The client follows through by calling all the apartments on his weekly list except for the week in which he did not visit HOME. You give him a score of +3 out of 4).

Furnish the apartment by reading the newspaper ads for used furniture and following up with inquiries; and by visiting Goodwill and other second-hand furniture and appliance stores. (The client was able to rent an apartment with a refrigerator and stove; but needed to buy a sofa bed, table and chairs from a second-hand store. He did this by lay-a-way and plans to have a friend with a van move these items gradually in August; you give him a score of +4 out of 4).

The largest possible sum for these 3 tasks would be 4 X 3 or 12. The actually attainment level was +3 +3 +4 or 10; 10/12= 83%.

Task achievement scaling can be used to evaluate the extent that the worker completed tasks too. Both goal and task achievement scaling can be applied to projects on a macro level, as well.