How to Write SMART IEP Goals for Your Child

The annual goals are the heart of your child's Individualized Education Program (IEP). They define what your child will work on and what success looks like. As a parent, you have a critical role in shaping these goals. The most effective goals follow the SMART framework: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Understanding this framework will empower you to contribute meaningfully at your next IEP meeting.

What are SMART Goals?

Let's break down each component of a SMART goal with examples.

S - Specific

A specific goal clearly states what the child will do, in what context, and under what conditions. It answers the questions: Who? What? Where? When? and How?

• Vague Goal: Maria will improve her writing.

• Specific Goal: Maria will write a five-sentence paragraph that includes a topic sentence, three supporting details, and a concluding sentence.

M - Measurable

A measurable goal allows you to track progress with data. It should state how you will know when the goal has been met. This often involves numbers, percentages, or a scoring rubric.

• Unmeasurable Goal: Carlos will get better at math.

• Measurable Goal: When given 20 double-digit addition problems with regrouping, Carlos will solve them with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 trials.

A - Achievable

An achievable goal is realistic for the child. It should be challenging enough to promote growth but not so difficult that it leads to frustration and failure. This requires knowing the child's current skill level (their "present level of performance").

• Unachievable Goal: A non-verbal student will be speaking in full sentences by the end of the year.

• Achievable Goal: The student will use their communication device to make a two-word request in 3 out of 4 opportunities.

R - Relevant

A relevant goal is meaningful for the child and connected to their overall educational needs. It should focus on skills that will help them access the curriculum and become more independent.

• Irrelevant Goal: The student will learn to identify 10 different types of cloud formations (unless it's directly tied to a science standard they are struggling with).

• Relevant Goal: The student will learn to use coping strategies, such as taking a break, to manage frustration during challenging academic tasks, reducing classroom outbursts by 50%.

T - Time-Bound

A time-bound goal has a clear deadline, which is typically one school year for an annual IEP goal. It provides a clear timeframe for when the skill should be mastered.

• Not Time-Bound: Sarah will learn her multiplication facts.

• Time-Bound Goal: By the end of the second marking period, Sarah will correctly answer 50 mixed multiplication facts (0-9) in five minutes.

How to Use This at Your IEP Meeting

When the team proposes a goal, run it through the SMART checklist. Don't be afraid to ask questions to make it stronger:

• "How will we measure that?" (Making it Measurable)

• "Can we be more specific about what that will look like?" (Making it Specific)

• "Is that a realistic expectation for him in one year, based on where he is now?" (Making it Achievable)

By helping to craft SMART goals, you ensure the IEP is a practical, useful tool that truly drives your child's progress.