top of page
Search

Part 1: What Makes a Strong IEP Goal?

  • allison1441
  • Oct 28
  • 3 min read
Checklist for SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. Reminder: Don’t forget Benchmarks! Finish flag shown.
SMART Goals for IEPs



If you’ve ever looked at your child’s IEP and thought, “This goal sounds nice…but what does it really mean?” — you’re not alone. IEP goals are the roadmap for your child’s year. When they’re clear and specific, they guide teachers and reassure parents. When they’re vague, they leave everyone guessing.


The 5 Parts of a Strong Goal

Here’s what every solid IEP goal should include:

  • Specific: It names the exact skill your child is working on.


  • Measurable: You can track it with numbers, percentages, or data points.


  • Achievable but Ambitious: It stretches your child, but doesn’t set them up to fail.


  • Relevant: It connects directly to your child’s unique needs (not just a generic skill).


  • Time-bound: It has a clear deadline, usually by the end of the IEP year.

 

Don’t Forget Benchmarks (Mini-Goals Along the Way)

For many students to achieve success, their IEPs will also include benchmarks or short-term objectives—think of these as stepping stones. They break a big, year-long goal into smaller, achievable chunks.


In New York State, only children taking alternate assessments are required to have benchmarks on their IEP. In New Jersey and Connecticut, all IEPs include benchmarks. If your district doesn’t include benchmarks on the IEP, you can ask the team to provide them in a separate document. Having those short-term targets in writing not only gives you clarity on how progress will be measured, but also allows you to be an active participant in your child’s learning journey.


Example of a Reading Fluency Goal with Benchmarks:

Annual Goal:

By June 2026, given a grade-level passage, Sam will read 120 words per minute with 95% accuracy in three out of four trials, as measured by curriculum-based assessments.


Benchmarks:

  1. By November 2025, Sam will read 80 words per minute with 90% accuracy.


  1. By February 2026, Sam will read 100 words per minute with 92% accuracy.


  1. By April 2026, Sam will read 110 words per minute with 93% accuracy.


This way, progress can be tracked throughout the year — not just at the finish line. If your child is mastering the goal early, great! The goal can be adjusted to reflect the next challenge. If your child isn’t making the necessary progress to reach the final goal — ask why not? Does the instruction need to change? Is the program effective? Are supports being provided as planned? Benchmarks aren’t just checkpoints; they are opportunities to intervene early.


⭐ Parent Power Move

At your next IEP meeting, ask:👉 “Can you show me how this goal is measurable and how progress will be tracked?"


If the team can’t clearly describe what data will be collected or how success will be shown, the goal may need revision.


Now that you know what a strong IEP goal looks like, the next step is making sure schools actually measure it. Stay tuned for Part 2: How to Monitor IEP Progress.


Helpful add-ons (free tools)



Next Steps and Resources:

The following websites are incredibly helpful when navigating the Special Education world. · www.wrightslaw.com


Need help personalizing your letter or planning next steps? I offer one-on-one support—virtual anywhere in the U.S. and in-person across NY/NJ. Work with me.


About the Author

Allison Rosenberg Meyerson is a special education advocate with 30+ years in the classroom and as a literacy specialist. She is Orton-Gillingham Certified, a COPAA SEAT 1.0 graduate, and a Dyslexia Advocate. Based in Warwick, NY, she supports families across NY, NJ, and virtually nationwide through The IDEA Ally.


Contact: 

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page