Before you sit down to write an IEP goal to take to your meeting, collect information on levels of performance, areas of concern and any academic data you and the teacher have collected. Once you identified the areas you want for goals, check that you know exactly what the student can and cannot do in relation to those skills or concepts. Each skill area of need as indicated by data will suggest you write an IEP goal.

For example, if there is a concern about solving math word problems find out if they are getting support in reading them, or they are unsure which operation to use. Maybe the student is actually struggling with the calculations even when they seem to know what to do. This is information you will need. In order to write an IEP goal that is appropriate you will look at present levels and data you and the teacher collect.

Step One – Who is the goal for?

State the child’s name. I use a planning page to write goals that includes name and grade level as that is also a consideration when knowing what the expectations are for learning and demonstration of the skill that you will write in an IEP. For our case study today, we will say this IEP goal is for Bella.

Step Two – What will be taught and why?

Once you know the need, decide what will be taught over the next year.

Imagine the Bella struggles in 6th grade with solving word problems using positive and negative numbers. Classroom instruction, baselines and the state standard is why we decided that was appropriate for our IEP goal. How exactly? Baseline data indicates, she can add and subtract given standard algorithms. We can move past that.

The next skill needed for Bella is which direction to move on a number line when a negative integer is used. AKA, if they should add or subtract given the expression with negative integers and what to do when crossing over the zero. Perhaps Bella is confused by choosing the operation. We can teach what key words mean and how to create a picture in her mind. We can include that tool in our instruction and goal.

We will propose to write an IEP goal to meet the 6th grade standard with integers that includes both the skill of identifying the operation and number line. Remember goals and accommodations are there to support our students in matching their peers. If you must teach a skill below grade level you can indicate that by calling out what level you are expecting the performance to be at indicating it is not a grade level standard.

“Bella will use key word bank and number lines to solve expressions and word problems with both positive and negative integers”

Step Three – When will progress be made and reported?

The goals generally will be in effect for a full year. Thus, we need to predict, in the service time provided, how well a student will be able to quickly will there be progress by our benchmark reporting periods. But, that is a blog for another day.

“By January 13, 2023 Bella will use key word bank and number lines to solve expressions and word problems with both positive and negative integers”

Step Four – How will the goal be measured?

Goals will include how you plan on having the student demonstrate the met the expectation. In this case study, we decided Bella needs to learn how to select the operation by using a key word bank and practice using a number line. It is also appropriate she learn to use them independently so our annual goal will state that. The goal will also indicate if we are going to measure through observation, student work samples or something else. Generally, behavior goals will be measured by observation, but academic goals can be measured by collected student work samples.

At this point we know “By January 13, 2023 Bella will independently use a key word bank and number lines to solve expressions and word problems with positive and negative integers as measured by student work samples.”

By indicating student work samples this means you can use work she is doing in any setting as long as it is her work.

In the how part of the IEP goal you can be more specific as to the setting, supports and quantities and quality of tasks the student will complete for progress reporting.

Supports can include prompting, tools taught or a setting such as during pull out support time, whole group or with an electronic device. This is all up to you.

Our goal is “By January 13, 2023, Bella will independently use a key word bank and number lines to solve two expressions and three word problems with positive and negative integers between 100 and -100 as measured by student work samples.”

I added the number of problems and which type so I know the formative assessment is in line with what I wanted the goal to be. I also added the parameters of 100 to -100. These conditions to demonstration will also be adjusted when I write benchmark goals. Again, another blog for a different day.

Step Five – To what degree will the learning be demonstrated?

I am going to predict with instruction and tools the student will be successful 80% of the time. (That is kind of an industry standard – you may aim higher or lower as appropriate to the student and the skill) The IEP goal will also indicate how often the student will achieve that level of mastery. Many teachers prefer to say three out of four trials as no one is perfect. I prefer to allow 80% accuracy but expect long term learning will be consistent and write in three consecutive trials. You could also use “opportunities” in place of trials./

“By January 13, 2023 Bella will independently use a key word bank and number lines to solve two expressions and three word problems with positive and negative integers between 100 and -100 with 80% accuracy in three consecutive trials, as measured by student work samples.”

That is How to Write an IEP Goal

Each child is different but the questions you ask will guide you to the right answers. 1)What can they do? 2) What do they need to learn? 3) What will I teach? 4) How will I know when they made it?

If this still seems overwhelming, don’t worry with practice it gets easier. If you want a free copy of my IEP Goal Planning Pages you can leave your email here and I will send it right away.

If this still seems a little to much for today you can go to my TpT store, Lessons in a Bubble and search goals. You will find ready made goal banks there. They can be very time saving if this is a bit much with all you have to learn. Just click the button below.