Tips for Writing IEP Goals and Objectives

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By law, every child with a disability is entitled to an education that aligns with their needs and sets reasonable performance expectations. Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are the foundational document schools use to meet their legal and educational obligations, and writing IEP goals and objectives is a major part of the process.

The purpose of the goals section of an IEP is to outline realistic performance expectations for a student that are largely achievable in regular classroom activities. They should be clear and measurable, and online courses, like the Art of Writing Quality IEPs: Best Practices for Educators, can help teachers draft these documents effectively so their students can make meaningful progress from year to year.

Getting it right can make a huge difference in a child’s life, but poorly constructed goals and objectives can hold them back and dampen their school experience. Here are some of the top tips we’ve collected for writing IEP goals and objectives.

Understanding IEP Goals

Every IEP begins with a thorough and professional assessment of a child’s disability and the impact it will have on their school experience. This Present Levels of Academic Achievement & Functional Performance (PLAAFP) assessment is the benchmark against which future progress will be measured.

Goals are the big-picture achievements a student with an IEP is expected to attain by the end of the year. These include behavioral, developmental, and academic targets that address each aspect of a student’s special needs.

When writing IEP goals, educators should ensure they are both challenging and attainable while defining measurable criteria for success. Goals shouldn’t be vague or simple restatements of the general curriculum. Rather, teachers, parents, and administrators can use the SMART framework to create goals and objectives that outline a clear path to growth and success.

The SMART Framework for IEP Goals

The SMART framework identifies the five components every IEP goal should address. By following its principles when writing IEP goals and objectives, SMART ensures each one will be:

S - SPECIFIC. Each goal should target a specific skill and define performance expectations. If elements of an objective are unclear or too general, it will be difficult for teachers and students to meet expectations.

M - MEASURABLE. IEP goals should be measurable to the greatest extent possible to provide an objective framework for success.

A - ATTAINABLE. Goals should be realistic and achievable per the student’s PLAAFP. Parental input is highly valuable for defining realistic expectations, and goals should account for a student’s strengths as well as their weaknesses.

R - RELEVANT. A relevant goal focuses on skills that help the student succeed both at school and outside the classroom.

T - TIME-BOUND. Ideally, each goal should identify relevant timelines for success and include time-based evaluation criteria wherever necessary (e.g., “The students will read 100 words per minute”).

Breaking Down Goals into Short-Term Objectives

IEPs are typically valid for one school year, and goals often need to be broken down into short-term objectives to track progress. These waypoints can make yearly goals more digestible for students and teachers.

Short-term objectives should be measurable and reflect reasonable steps along the path to achieving a long-term goal. Objectives can be weekly, monthly, quarterly, or last a semester, and they should integrate with a student’s strengths and interests to support success.

Identify Student Modifications and Accommodations

When writing IEP goals and objectives, educators should consider what modifications and accommodations the student may need to achieve them.

Modifications are any changes to the general curriculum that goals must account for, including alternate resources like large-print books, access to special teaching resources and aides, or changes to grading criteria.

Accommodations are adaptations a student will need to participate in classroom activities that don’t affect the general curriculum. These include things like extra time for tests, assistive technology, and special access requirements. Many accommodations are covered under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and represent legal obligations for schools in addition to creating the least restrictive environment (LRE).

Review and Update Goals Regularly

In some cases, educators may need to review and rewrite goals and objectives as the school year progresses. While it would be ideal for goals to be perfectly aligned with a student’s needs from day one, it’s often not possible to form a clear picture of how all relevant factors will affect their performance.

There are many factors that may make it necessary to reevaluate an IEP’s goals and objectives:

• Social and emotional development. Children and teenagers are constantly growing, and it can be difficult to estimate when and how these elements will impact their progress.
• Disease processes. If a child has a chronic illness or health condition, it may develop or worsen during the school year.
• Family challenges. Families caring for a child with a disability often face personal and financial complications that can impact academic performance.
• New information. In some cases, a student’s disability may not be fully understood when educators are writing IEP goals and objectives.

Whenever possible, schools and families should be guided by measurable outcomes articulated in an IEP’s goals and objectives to identify where and how they should be adjusted. By tying performance to data, educators can recalibrate expectations and provide a solid foundation for the creation of future IEPs.

Become an Expert at Writing IEP Goals and Objectives

By using the SMART framework and tracking measurable progress, educators can deliver customized education plans that build toward meaningful goals year after year. Writing IEP goals and objectives requires a lot of practice and experience, and professional development is a key part of creating successful outcomes.

Premiere is committed to helping teachers, administrators, and specialists write IEPs that meet legal obligations and provide an excellent education plan for students with disabilities. Online courses, like the Art of Writing Quality IEPs: Best Practices for Educators, teach the fundamentals of IEP creation and provide guidance and tips for making each component as effective and clear as possible.

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