Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals are a critical component of special education plans. These goals should adhere to a specific and structured formula to ensure clarity, effectiveness, and measurability. To explain this formula, we have provided a simple graphic (see below) that outlines the key elements of an IEP goal and includes example IEP goals. The formula typically includes a clear statement of the desired outcome, the conditions under which the goal will be achieved, the specific criteria for success, and a clear timeline. To help you practice creating IEP goals, we’ve developed a user-friendly text formatting tool. You can input your objectives and use this tool to format them correctly, making the process of creating and understanding IEP goals more accessible and efficient.

IEP Goal Formula with Examples

Examples of IEP Goals

Read through these to get inspired and to help understand the language and context. You can use your goals to help effectively steer the conversations with the IEP team and to feel a bit more like you are in the driver’s seat. Remember to be as specific as possible; any ambiguity in the language can open up the process to errors and even IEP violations.

Social Skills IEP Goals:

1. In 6 months, my child will gain the ability to initiate and maintain conversations with peers during recess and lunchtime as measured by observing a minimum of three conversational turns and using appropriate greetings and questions, with the support of peer modeling and social stories.
2. In one school year, my child will develop the skill of demonstrating empathy and understanding others’ emotions in a classroom setting as measured by teacher observation and peer feedback, with the support of weekly social skills group sessions.
3. Within 9 months, my child will improve their ability to resolve conflicts with peers in a calm and constructive manner during classroom activities as measured by a reduction in disruptive behaviors and an increase in verbal problem-solving, with the support of a conflict resolution counselor.

Communication and Language IEP Goals:

1. In one academic year, my child will enhance their expressive language skills by using complete sentences with appropriate grammar and vocabulary during classroom discussions and written assignments, as measured by teacher evaluations and writing samples, with the support of language therapy sessions.
2. Over the course of 8 months, my child will sharpen their receptive language skills by comprehending and following complex instructions in a classroom setting, as measured by teacher assessments and test scores, with the support of small group language instruction.
3. In 12 months, my child will effectively use their augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device to initiate and participate in conversations, make choices, and express needs during various activities, as measured by speech-language pathologist (SLP) evaluations, with the support of daily AAC training sessions.

Academic Readiness IEP Goals:

1. Within 9 months, my child will improve their reading skills by achieving phonemic awareness, accurately identifying and pronouncing the sounds of all 26 letters of the alphabet during guided reading lessons, as measured by phonics assessments and teacher observations, with the support of targeted reading interventions.
2. In one school year, my child will master basic addition and subtraction skills, solving math problems with numbers up to 20 with at least 80% accuracy on math assignments and assessments, with the support of math tutoring sessions.
3. Over the next 10 months, my child will refine their handwriting by correctly writing and forming all uppercase and lowercase letters of the alphabet legibly and consistently in written assignments and activities, as measured by teacher assessments and handwriting samples, with the support of occupational therapy.

Play and Leisure IEP Goals:

1. In 6 months, my child will independently engage in parallel and cooperative play with peers during recess and structured playtime, demonstrating effective turn-taking and sharing, as measured by teacher and peer observations, with the support of social skills training.
2. Within 8 months, my child will participate in at least three leisure activities of their choice during free time, independently selecting and engaging in activities such as board games, art projects, or sports, with the support of a leisure activity mentor.
3. In 9 months, my child will improve their ability to take turns and share with peers during play or leisure activities without prompting, as measured by teacher and peer feedback, with the support of a behavioral intervention plan.

Behavior IEP Goals:

1. In 6 months, my child will enhance their emotional regulation skills by utilizing coping strategies (e.g., deep breathing or a quiet space) to manage anger and frustration, reducing incidents of aggressive behavior by 50% compared to baseline data, with the support of a behavior therapist.
2. Over the course of one academic year, my child will consistently follow classroom rules and expectations, demonstrating improved adherence in at least 80% of observed classroom situations, with the support of a behavior support plan and classroom modifications.
3. In 8 months, my child will develop the ability to self-advocate by independently requesting a break or additional support when feeling overwhelmed or anxious, appropriately using a pre-determined communication method in at least 9 out of 10 opportunities, with the support of a trained paraprofessional.