Writing IEP Goals: Set Your Student Up for Success

As we enter the new school year, you may be wondering where to begin when writing IEP goals for your student. According to IDEA, an IEP must include measurable goals that establish both how and when to track progress.

When you discuss writing goals with your student’s IEP Team, make sure to ask the following questions:

What types of goals should we include?
It’s important to begin with the areas of concern for your student. A strong list of IEP goals is well-rounded, not just academic. Based on your student’s needs, you can include social goals, emotional goals, daily living skills, employment skills, communication skills, and more. Keep in mind that there is no legal limit on the number of goals in an IEP but you may need to prioritize the greater areas of concern if you have a long list.

How should the goals be written?
IEP goals are SMART (Strategic, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, and Time bound). Strategic goals address your areas of concern. To make sure that these goals are measurable, the student’s progress should be observed, counted, and documented. The goal should also be challenging but attainable by the end of the IEP period, otherwise it isn’t realistic.

How can we make sure progress will be tracked effectively?
Including performance criteria is what makes a goal measurable. Criteria might include observing the student’s speed, accuracy, frequency, and duration while completing the skill or task. This data should be included in regular progress reports so the Team can evaluate the student’s growth and determine if they are on track to meet their annual goals.

For example, the IEP objectives/benchmarks could state, “From a baseline of 0 out of 5, Amy will do [insert skill] in 4 out of 5 trials by the end of the IEP period.” Goals written in this format are specific, measurable, and by using action words, you can create a clear and time-bound IEP goal. Be aware that the objective/benchmark should include a number of trials OR a percentage, but not both, eg. “4 out of 5 trials with 80% accuracy” = 64%, not 80%.

Remember that the purpose of IDEA is to meet the child’s needs, so they are prepared for “further education, employment, and independent living.” Writing clear and measurable goals is a key step in this process. Being mindful of areas of concern, understanding the student’s starting points, and writing SMART goals will help your student meet make effective progress and the hold the Team accountable for progress.