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IEP Goal Bank

A well written IEP goal is essential to the IEP and special education. How can you monitor progress if you don't know what you are aiming at?

I often am asked, "Can you put together an IEP goal bank?" The number of possible IEP goals is infinite. The list could go on forever. But this list of IEP goals and objectives is a useful starting point. If you scroll to the bottom, you will find a PDF of printable IEP goals.

IEP Goals and objectives

IEP Goals Examples

Before you head on down to the list of IEP goals and objectives, please take a look at this 3 minute video on measurable IEP goals.

Smart IEP Goals

What you will find here are many lists of IEP goals. For the most part, there's no need to reinvent the wheel. However, IEP goals should be specific to the child's needs. And, they need to be SMART IEP Goals. Here is a graphic showing what that means.

smart IEP goals
Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic and Time Limited.

So, while browsing lists of IEP goals is easy, and you likely will find a goal that you like, it doesn't mean that it's appropriate for your child. You may need to do some reading there first, before you choose the measurable IEP goals from this goal bank list. I have dozens upon dozens of articles about IEP goals on this site. In my online IEP Advocacy Training, I spend a great deal of time discussing IEP goals, how to develop them, write them and measure them.

Finding great ideas (and there are literally thousands here) is just one step toward a solid IEP.

  • How to Write IEP Goals
  • FAQs about IEP Goals
  • What if I don't want that IEP goal?
  • What if my child does not meet their IEP goals?
  • What IDEA says about IEP Goals

IEP Goals for Autism

I'm often asked why I don't have a separate IEP goal bank for autism. Or autism specific IEP goals. Remember, IEPs are needs-driven, not diagnosis driven. So, you'd develop goals based on the child's needs. Yes, many students with IEPs for autism have similar needs.

I have a separate post about an Autism IEP, which explains how to build a solid, meaningful IEP if your child has autism.

Grade Level IEP Goals

At the bottom of this article, I will include the IEP goal formula. You can take any skill, any time frame, and plug it into the formula to make it measurable.

However, again, please remember that the goals are developed on baselines in present levels. It may not be inappropriate to take core standards skills and plug them in and make an IEP goal. But, what are the baselines? If a child is behind his/her age and grade peers, the goal should be personalized to them.

What I'm not so succinctly saying is this: IEP goals are based on a child's existing skill set. And not an age, grade or calendar expectation.

I have heard from parents in the past who were told "Well, we have to write goals based on core standards." No, no they don't. IDEA is very clear that goals are based upon evaluations. It's an exercise in futility to write a goal that a child cannot reasonably achieve in one school year.

IEP goal formula for special education

Measurable IEP Goals

Remember that the student's every area of need should be listed in IEP present levels. Use the baselines in PLAAFP to develop the goals.

  1. IEP Goals for Writing (meaning the skill of writing or composition, not handwriting IEP goals)
  2. IEP Goals for Reading
  3. Reading Comprehension IEP Goals
  4. Behavior IEP Goals
  5. Math IEP Goals
  6. Executive Functioning IEP Goals
  7. Social Skills IEP Goals
  8. Independent Functioning IEP Goals
  9. Organization IEP Goals
  10. Reading Fluency IEP Goals
  11. Transition Goals for an IEP
  12. Written Expression IEP Goals
  13. Fluency IEP Goals
  14. IEP Goals for Focus and Attention
  15. IEP Goals for ADHD
  16. Kindergarten IEP Goals
  17. Self Advocacy and Self Determination IEP Goals
  18. Receptive and Expressive Language IEP Goals
  19. IEP Goals for Auditory Processing Disorder
  20. Functional Math and Money Skills IEP Goals
  21. Toileting IEP Goals
  22. Trauma Informed IEP Goals
  23. IEP Goals for Inference
  24. Transition and Community Based Instruction CBI IEP Goals
  25. Counseling IEP Goals (counseling is an IEP related service!)
  26. Working Memory IEP Goals
  27. NVLD IEP goals
  28. Anxiety IEP Goals
  29. Fine Motor Skills OT IEP Goals
  30. IEP Goals for Dysgraphia
  31. CVI IEP Goals

But, wait! There's more!

In addition to the common requests that I get for IEP goals listed above, there are many more below. Just scroll through the titles and images, and surely you will have more IEP goal ideas than you know what to do with.

Printable IEP Goal Bank

Here you go. I consolidated the printable IEP goals and objectives bank. It is over 100 pages, so if you are going to print it, be aware. You might want to send it to Kinko's or Staples and have it bound so that you can use it as a refence.

IEP-goals-and-objectives-bank-printable

My goal is to make your IEP process easier. There are only a few thousand people in the country who know as much about IEPs as I do. I'm an IEP/Special Education Advocate who has attended 100s of IEP meetings. I live in Chester County, PA with my husband and two boys. When I'm not here, I'm probably in Harrisburg or DC lobbying!