348 goals · 17 skill areas · free

IEP goals, written so they can be measured

Every goal carries the five parts a goal needs — a timeframe, the conditions, an observable behavior, a criterion and how it will be measured. Set a present level and a target, and the generator writes the goal and its benchmarks.

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Annual goal

By the annual review date, when given an unpracticed third-grade-level passage, [Student] will read aloud for one minute at 90 words correct per minute with 95% accuracy, as measured by weekly one-minute curriculum-based measurement probes.

Benchmarks

  1. 1

    By the annual review date, when given an unpracticed third-grade-level passage, [Student] will read aloud for one minute at 56 words correct per minute with 95% accuracy, as measured by weekly one-minute curriculum-based measurement probes.

  2. 2

    By the annual review date, when given an unpracticed third-grade-level passage, [Student] will read aloud for one minute at 68 words correct per minute with 95% accuracy, as measured by weekly one-minute curriculum-based measurement probes.

  3. 3

    By the annual review date, when given an unpracticed third-grade-level passage, [Student] will read aloud for one minute at 79 words correct per minute with 95% accuracy, as measured by weekly one-minute curriculum-based measurement probes.

Collecting the data next? Print a tracking sheet built for the way this goal is scored.

Replace [Student] and any remaining bracket in your own document. The IEP team writes the goal from this student's present levels; this is a starting draft, not an IEP.

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By skill area

All math IEP goals

Reading fluency

23

Oral reading rate, accuracy, expression and self-correction.

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Reading comprehension

23

Main idea, inference, text evidence, retelling and summary.

See the goals

Decoding and phonics

23

Phonemic awareness, letter sounds, blending, syllable types.

See the goals

Vocabulary

23

Context clues, affixes and roots, academic and content words.

See the goals

Writing

23

Sentences, paragraphs, editing, handwriting and keyboarding.

See the goals

Math computation

23

Facts, multi-digit operations, fractions, decimals, integers.

See the goals

Math problem solving

23

Word problems, multi-step reasoning, money, time, measurement.

See the goals

Kindergarten math

24

Counting, cardinality, comparing, shapes, sums within 10.

See the goals

Functional math

21

A cross-section: money, time, measurement, shopping, a paycheck.

See the goals

Behavior

23

Replacement behaviours, following directions, transitions, safety.

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Social skills and emotional

23

Conversation, turn taking, social cues, regulation, coping strategies.

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Self-advocacy

24

Naming needs, requesting accommodations, self-monitoring, IEP voice.

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Executive functioning

23

Organization, initiation, time management, materials, planning.

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Functional life skills

23

Daily living, community access, safety, money, work routines.

See the goals

Communication

23

Expressive and receptive language, AAC, articulation, pragmatics.

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Transition

24

Employment, postsecondary training, independent living.

See the goals

Autism

31

A cross-section: communication, regulation, routine, independence.

See the goals

The tools, all free

IEP goal generator

A present level and a target in; a measurable annual goal and three benchmarks out. No account, no AI, and the same inputs always give the same sentence.

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IEP goal tracking sheets

A printable data sheet built from the goal's criterion, so the columns ask for the number the goal is scored on rather than a general-purpose grid.

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IEP at a glance

Tick the sections the staff around this student need and the snapshot is built to match — including whether it still fits on one sheet of paper.

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IEP binder

Tick the tabs and print a cover, a contents page and one divider per tab — each saying what belongs behind it, so the folder sorts itself.

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IEP data collection sheets

Seven blanks, one per recording method. Choose an interval and the grid is counted for you rather than guessed at the photocopier.

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Special education acronyms

Tick the letters your building uses and print a one-page key. Each one says whether the regulation defines it or the staffroom does.

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Two things most goal banks get wrong

Short-term objectives are not required for every student
Benchmarks or short-term objectives are federally required for children who take alternate assessments aligned to alternate academic achievement standards. For every other student they are a state, district or team decision. 34 CFR §300.320(a)(2)(ii)
Quarterly progress reports are an example, not a rule
The IEP must state when periodic reports on progress toward the annual goals will be provided. The regulation offers quarterly reports issued alongside report cards as an example — it does not set the interval. 34 CFR §300.320(a)(3)(ii)
The five parts of a measurable goal

Sources

Every figure on this page comes from one of the documents below, with the day it was read. Requirements change — open the source if you need today's wording.