IEP Goals » IEP Facts » Writing IEP

Writing IEP

Writing IEP’s

Goals are all part of writing the Individualized Education Plan-Program (IEP). More importantly, writing good goals that meet the specific child’s need are critical to the process. A large number of educational jurisdictions tend to use SMART goals which stand for:

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Achievable
  • Relevant
  • Time Limited 

Annual Goal – What should the student be doing?

1. What can the student reasonably be expected to accomplish in 12 months?

2. What areas of the general curriculum are affected by the disability?

3. What other academic or functional disability related needs should be addressed (including behavior, motor, social-emotional, communication, self-help)?

4. Is each goal measurable?

5. Are the goals related to information in the PLAAFP?


Objective/Benchmark – What will the student need to do in order to reach the annual goal?

1. What sequential intermediate steps or temporal milestones are needed to reach goal (2 or more for each goal)?

2. What indicators of progress toward meeting the goal will be measured intermittently during the year?


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