Goal Writing
Goals always have 4 parts.
- Direction - increase/improve or decrease
- NOTE: Maintain has limited use. A student with a maintenance goal would be expected to be dismissed from special education within a semester or so.
- Skill identified by evaluation report - ______ skill
- Current level - "from (Present Level data)"
- Attainment level - "to (new data point)"
If you are NOT required* to do objectives, a fifth part is required at the end of the goal "as measured by..." The measurement tool cannot be observation or teacher discretion. The tool must be a tangible record you could produce to show someone if requested to do so, i.e. observation notes, worksheets, point sheets, charts.
*Federal law has repealed objectives; however, individual States may require them.
Goal Template:
Student will __(direction)__ __(evaluated need area)__ skill from __(number from Present Level)__ to __(new number)__.
By putting the word "skill" into your goal, you won't be tempted to write inappropriate goals like:
- Marta will complete her homework from never to always.
- John will pay attention more often.
- Nevin will solve problems with 75% accuracy.
Instead a well-written goal would be:
- Marta will improve her organization skills so she completes homework from 0% to 50% as measured by teacher records.Â
- John will improve his self-management skills from earning 50% to earning 75% of the possible points on his chart.
- Nevin will improve his math calculation skills from 60% to 75% on the skills listed above.
Need more examples of good Present Levels and Goals? Join The Club and have access to over 200 Present Levels-goal pages.
Click here to learn about writing better Present Levels.
Click here to see a Present Levels template that might be useful.
Click here for a FREE sample Present Levels-goal page.