Annual Goal #1 Reading: Accuracy and Fluency Well-written Goal, meets criteria for appropriate IEP Poorly-written Goal, lacking elements necessary for an appropriate IEP Given beginning fifth grade level (5.0) reading material, Joshua will read passages aloud in small group settings, fluently (>125 words per minute), and with 85% accuracy as measured by teacher observation on three separate occasions. Joshua will improve his reading one grade level. Critique of Poorly Written Goals Condition: Does not indicate if Joshua is reading aloud or silently, in class or at home, in a group or individually. Student Name: Properly Specified Clearly defined behavior: Does not indicate if the reading measure is based on reading accuracy, fluency or comprehension. Does not specify if he is being graded on reading aloud or silently. Although “one grade level” is specified, the goal does not reflect whether this is based on standardized test measure, teacher observation, informal assessment or peer comparison. Performance criteria: Does not indicate level of proficiency (e.g., percent accuracy or grade level) required. Does not specify how many observations are required to meet this goal. OBJECTIVES Reading: Accuracy and Fluency Objectives, meets criteria for quality Poorly-written Objectives, lacking elements necessary for an appropriate IEP 1. Joshua will read fifth grade level (5.0) Dolch sight words aloud accurately 85% of the time, based on teacher observation on three separate occasions. 1. Joshua will increase sight word accuracy in his reading. 2. Joshua will apply phonetic rules to sound out fifth grade level (5.0) phonetically-regular words when reading 2. Joshua will use decoding strategies to read new words accurately. written paragraph
2. Given fifth grade level (5.0) reading material, Joshua will write three details from passage in his own words, 85% of time, based on teacher observation on three consecutive classroom assignments. 2. Student will recall and discuss what he has read. 3. Given fifth grade level (5.0) reading material, Joshua will answer true/false, fill in the blank and multiple choice questions related to the passage with 85% accuracy on three consecutive classroom tests. 3. Joshua will obtain passing grade on comprehension tests with fifth grade level reading material. 4. Given fifth grade level (5.0) reading material, Joshua will cite two details from his own prior knowledge and experience and provide orally or in writing 3-5 sentences related to his knowledge and experience, as related to passage content on three separate occasions. 4. Joshua will make connections to the text using his prior knowledge. Critique on Poorly Written Objectives Condition: #1, 2 and 4. do not specify these objectives are to be met. They could be assignments in class or for homework. Student’s name: #2. does not indicate student’s name. Clearly defined behavior: #1. “Analyze main idea” is not a measurable behavior. This require Joshua to identify it on a multiple-choice test, to write it independently, to provide it aloud or in writing. The term “analyze” the main idea is vague. There is a difference between “identifying” the main idea, “explaining it” and “analyzing” it. The specific behavior needs to be clear. #2. It is not specified if this discussion is to be performed aloud or in writing. The length of the “discussion” is also not specified or the kind of information Joshua is expected to recall from the reading passage. #3. Clearly defined: Joshua is to perform on a fifth grade level comprehension test. This objective could be improved by specifying whether items are multiple-choice, short answer and/or essay answers. #4. “Make connections to the text” is not an observable behavior. Performance criteria: #1 Specifies fifth grade level reading text but does not describe level of proficiency or number of times behavior must be performed. #2. No performance criteria are indicated. #3. Passing grade on fifth grade reading comprehension test is an observable and measureable criterion. However, there is no indication of the number of times this criterion must be achieved. #4. No performance criteria are indicated. READING ACCOMODATIONS