As special education practitioners, we know that writing Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals based upon evidence-based instructional strategies are the gold standard to support student learning for college- and career readiness. By setting Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-limited goals, all IEP team members have a clear sense of the target to meet before the next annual review.
SMART is a mnemonic acronym used in a variety of settings, providing benchmark goals and measurements. IEP team members may also use this tool to write better annual goals:
Examples
8th-grade math
By (date), (name) will increase math skills by solving two-step equations as measured by teacher-made assignments and student work samples, with no more than 4 errors in 25 problems.
|
Specific |
Measurable |
Attainable |
Relevant |
Time-limited |
|
The student will solve systems of equations with two variables |
Using teacher-made assignments and student work samples |
With no more than 4 errors in 25 problems |
Meets 8th grade-state standards for expressions and equations |
The goal will increase student’s ability to solve more complex linear equations within one year |
5th-grade reading
By (date), (name) will use graphic organizers to draw the main idea and 3 supporting details for one paragraph of informational text with no more than 4 errors after reading 20 passages, as measured by teacher-made assignments and student work samples.
|
Specific |
Measurable |
Attainable |
Relevant |
Time-limited |
|
Using graphic organizers, students will draw the main idea and 3 supporting details about informational text |
As measured by teacher-made assignments and student work samples |
With no more than 4 errors after reading 20 informational text passages |
Meets state reading standards for 5th-grade comprehension of informational text |
The goal will increase student’s ability to explain how the author reasons and uses evidence to support a claim within one year |
Behavior
By (date), (name) will initiate his/her work as evidenced by writing relevant words or numbers on his/her paper within one minute of an assignment being presented, with a minimum of 20 recorded opportunities over two months, as measured by observational assessments.
|
Specific |
Measurable |
Attainable |
Relevant |
Time-limited |
|
The student will initiate work within one minute of an assignment being presented |
As measured by teacher observations and student performance assessments |
20 recorded opportunities over two months |
Supports student’s ability to be on task |
The goal will increase student initiation of assigned classroom work within one year |
Summary
Using the SMART technique will guide IEP teams to write high-quality, legally defensible, IEP goals every time.
Author: Judith Magee, MA, Education Specialist