Goals & Objectives

IEP Goals and Objectives - Define what your child will achieve:

IEP Goals can be drafted in a step-by-step fashion and should be geared towards a child's specific disability(ies). In considering goals, start with a list of the child's areas of disability (obtained from evaluations and/or classroom data). For deficit areas, ask yourself, "What would success look like? What would we see the child DOING?"

Good goals don't contain words that can't be measured such as demonstrate, understand, comprehend, improve, etc. How will you know if a child understands? Has improved? Comprehends? You will measure it by observing a behavior, thus the behavior should be stated in the goal.

To write an objective, measureable goal:

1) State the Target Outcome (what will the child DO?)

2) State the Conditions of Demonstration (how, when or where will the child be able to do it?)

3) State the Standards Criteria (what level of skill will indicate the child has learned to do the task?)

4) Assemble the above into an Objective, Measurable Goal.

Remember: When you are developing your child's goals, make a brief checklist to be certain all areas are considered. Which areas require a goal? Consider:

- Assistive Technology Usage
- Behavioral / Emotional Modification
- Daily Living Skills
- General Curriculum and Instructional Content
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Speech-Language Therapy

Consider needs, abilities, and desired outcomes. Be sure goals are specific so the teacher will know what your child is expected to learn. Expectations must also meet with your child's academic aptitude. Be realistic, but don't lower expectations. Dream of what can be, think creatively, and expect your child to achieve at a high level where she is capable of learning, not where she is presently performing. Look to the future, not to the past.

Think of one area where your child needs improvement. Write a goal that meets the criteria for being "observable".