Inside: Browse our comprehensive IEP goal bank to streamline your special education planning. Find ready-made individualized education program goals for students with diverse needs. Includes many IEP Goal Examples.
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 Examples
Is it ethical to use an IEP goal bank? I’ve had parents and school staff both tell me that it’s not.
Obviously, I disagree. There’s nothing wrong with looking at IEP goal examples and individualizing them to meet a specific child.
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.
IEP Goal Bank
So, while browsing lists of IEP goals is easy, and you likely will find a goal you like, it doesn’t mean it’s appropriate for your child.
You may need to read before choosing 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.
Before heading down to the IEP goals and objectives list, please review this 3-minute video on measurable IEP goals.
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 section, 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 the IEP 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 on evaluations. It’s an exercise in futility to write a goal that a child cannot reasonably achieve in one school year.
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.
- IEP Goals for Writing (meaning the skill of writing or composition, not handwriting IEP goals)
- IEP Goals for Reading
- Reading Comprehension IEP Goals
- Behavior IEP Goals
- Math IEP Goals
- Executive Functioning IEP Goals
- Social Skills IEP Goals
- Independent Functioning IEP Goals
- Organization IEP Goals
- Reading Fluency IEP Goals
- Transition Goals for an IEP
- Written Expression IEP Goals
- Fluency IEP Goals
- IEP Goals for Focus and Attention
- IEP Goals for ADHD
- Kindergarten IEP Goals
- Self Advocacy and Self Determination IEP Goals
- Receptive and Expressive Language IEP Goals
- IEP Goals for Auditory Processing Disorder
- Functional Math and Money Skills IEP Goals
- Toileting IEP Goals
- Trauma-Informed IEP Goals
- IEP Goals for Inference
- Transition and Community-Based Instruction CBI IEP Goals
- Counseling IEP Goals (counseling is an IEP Related Service!)
- Working Memory IEP Goals
- Anxiety IEP Goals
- Fine Motor Skills OT IEP Goals
- IEP Goals for Dysgraphia
- CVI IEP Goals
Math IEP Goals
- 68 Money IEP Goals including Functional Math and Budgeting
- 25 Telling Time IEP Goals
- Math Word Problem Solving IEP Goals: 12 Examples and Objectives
- 68 Money IEP Goals including Functional Math and Budgeting
- 29 Math Problem Solving IEP Goals (Including Math Reasoning)
- 50 Math IEP Goals, including Calculation and Computation
- Kindergarten Math IEP Goals
But, wait! There’s more! (these are supposed to appear in alphabetical order)
10 Attendance IEP Goals (examples)
See the List 10 Attendance IEP Goals (examples)
10 Study Skills IEP Goals (including Note Taking)
See the List 10 Study Skills IEP Goals (including Note Taking)
100 Independent Functioning and Independent Living IEP Goals (Life Skills)
See the List 100 Independent Functioning and Independent Living IEP Goals (Life Skills)
1000 IEP Goals for Transition: IEP Transition Goals Bank
See the List 1000 IEP Goals for Transition: IEP Transition Goals Bank
11 Sample IEP Goals for Focus and Attention
See the List 11 Sample IEP Goals for Focus and Attention
13 Inference IEP Goals and Objectives
See the List 13 Inference IEP Goals and Objectives
14 Letter Recognition IEP Goals (including OT)
See the List 14 Letter Recognition IEP Goals (including OT)
15 IEP Goals for Assistive Technology and AAC
See the List 15 IEP Goals for Assistive Technology and AAC
15 IEP Goals for Working Memory (and Auditory Memory)
See the List 15 IEP Goals for Working Memory (and Auditory Memory)
16 IEP Goals for Phonemic Awareness
See the List 16 IEP Goals for Phonemic Awareness
18 IEP Goals for Self-Regulation Skills (examples)
See the List 18 IEP Goals for Self-Regulation Skills (examples)
19 Work Completion IEP Goals and Examples (Task Completion)
See the List 19 Work Completion IEP Goals and Examples (Task Completion)
20 IEP Goals for Low Functioning Students
See the List 20 IEP Goals for Low Functioning Students
20 Listening Comprehension IEP Goals (and Examples)
See the List 20 Listening Comprehension IEP Goals (and Examples)
25 Impulse Control IEP Goals
See the List 25 Impulse Control IEP Goals
25 Measurable Basic Reading Skills IEP Goals
See the List 25 Measurable Basic Reading Skills IEP Goals
25 Measurable Telling Time IEP Goals
See the List 25 Measurable Telling Time IEP Goals
28 Sample Vocabulary IEP Goals
See the List 28 Sample Vocabulary IEP Goals
29 Math Problem Solving IEP Goals (Including Math Reasoning)
See the List 29 Math Problem Solving IEP Goals (Including Math Reasoning)
30 Measurable Handwriting IEP Goals, including OT, Fine Motor, and Letter Formation
See the List 30 Measurable Handwriting IEP Goals, including OT, Fine Motor, and Letter Formation
30 Task Initiation IEP Goals (Task Avoidance)
See the List 30 Task Initiation IEP Goals (Task Avoidance)
36 Decoding IEP Goals (Examples and Samples)
See the List 36 Decoding IEP Goals (Examples and Samples)
36 Measurable Postsecondary Goals for an IEP
See the List 36 Measurable Postsecondary Goals for an IEP
37 Toileting IEP Goals (for all ages)
See the List 37 Toileting IEP Goals (for all ages)
39 Behavior IEP Goals including Adaptive Behavior and Adaptive Skills
See the List 39 Behavior IEP Goals including Adaptive Behavior and Adaptive Skills
40 Sample IEP Counseling Goals (Counseling as a Related Service)
See the List 40 Sample IEP Counseling Goals (Counseling as a Related Service)
46 Reading Comprehension IEP Goals, including Fluency
See the List 46 Reading Comprehension IEP Goals, including Fluency
50 Math IEP Goals and Objectives, including Calculation and Computation
See the List 50 Math IEP Goals and Objectives, including Calculation and Computation
53 Measurable IEP Goals for Writing and Written Expression (and Objectives)
See the List 53 Measurable IEP Goals for Writing and Written Expression (and Objectives)
60 Kindergarten IEP Goals including Reading, Writing and Math.
See the List 60 Kindergarten IEP Goals including Reading, Writing and Math.
65 Vocational IEP Goals Including Work Habits and Jobs
See the List 65 Vocational IEP Goals Including Work Habits and Jobs
68 Money IEP Goals including Functional Math, Budgeting and Banking
See the List 68 Money IEP Goals including Functional Math, Budgeting and Banking
73 Measurable Self Advocacy IEP Goals and Objectives: Elementary to High School
See the List 73 Measurable Self Advocacy IEP Goals and Objectives: Elementary to High School
75 Personal Hygiene and Health IEP Goals (effective and measurable!)
See the List 75 Personal Hygiene and Health IEP Goals (effective and measurable!)
77 Functional Communication Goals for an IEP
See the List 77 Functional Communication Goals for an IEP
78 Social Skills IEP Goals for all Ages, including Autism and High School
See the List 78 Social Skills IEP Goals for all Ages, including Autism and High School
99 Community Safety and Transportation IEP Goals
See the List 99 Community Safety and Transportation IEP Goals
All About IEP Goals | Parent FAQs, answered.
See the List All About IEP Goals | Parent FAQs, answered.
Auditory Processing Disorder | APD | IEP Goals | Accommodations
See the List Auditory Processing Disorder | APD | IEP Goals | Accommodations
Executive Functioning IEP Goals: 100 Practical, Measurable Goals for Special Education
See the List Executive Functioning IEP Goals: 100 Practical, Measurable Goals for Special Education
Fine Motor IEP Goals | 50 Fine Motor Goals for All Ages
See the List Fine Motor IEP Goals | 50 Fine Motor Goals for All Ages
How to Write an IEP for Autism: IEP Goal Ideas, Sample PDF
See the List How to Write an IEP for Autism: IEP Goal Ideas, Sample PDF
How to Write Meaningful and Measurable IEP Goals
See the List How to Write Meaningful and Measurable IEP Goals
Inflectional or Inflected Endings: Charts, Examples, and IEP Goals
See the List Inflectional or Inflected Endings: Charts, Examples, and IEP Goals
List of IEP Goals for ADHD
See the List List of IEP Goals for ADHD
Math Word Problem IEP Goals: 12 Examples and Objectives
See the List Math Word Problem IEP Goals: 12 Examples and Objectives
Sample IEP Goals for Autism Elopement
See the List Sample IEP Goals for Autism Elopement
SMART IEP Goals: Examples, Worksheets and Templates
See the List SMART IEP Goals: Examples, Worksheets and Templates
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 reference.
