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Find the sign for a new word

3-5, 6-8, 9-12OpportunitiesTemplateReview and individualize before use. How templates are made
When to use this goal

For signing students who meet new English words in reading and do not know a sign or do not know where to look. Present levels in using an ASL dictionary or asking Deaf adults decide fit.

Baseline
Plan five new words with common signs and record what the student does: looks it up, asks, fingerspells only, or skips it.
Tips
Fingerspelling is fine for words without a common sign; teach the student to tell the difference. Regional signs vary.
Limits
ASL is a complete language; this template measures one access or language skill, and the student's broader language goals belong in expressive and receptive language with sign as the mode.

Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID ac-sig-015.

Sign in to add this goal to a student.

Student

How the goal refers to the student

Skill

What the student will do

Something an adult can see, count or time.

Condition

When or under what conditions

Support

Support allowed

Criterion

Number of opportunities in which the behavior is demonstrated, out of a fixed number.

Sample numbers. Replace them with the student's data.

Criterion wording

Data collection

Each planned or naturally occurring opportunity is recorded as correct/independent, prompted, or not demonstrated.

How often data are collected
Mastery rule

How many measurements must meet the criterion.

Timeframe

Timeframe

Goal

By the annual IEP review date, when reading a text with a new word that has a common sign, the student will look up the word in an ASL dictionary app or ask a signing adult, then sign the word and use it in a sentence independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected weekly.

Baseline: 1 of 5 opportunities.

  • Condition
  • Observable behavior
  • Criterion
  • Measurement method

ObjectivesCopy by fieldData sheet

Measurability check11 of 11 met
  • Met: Observable behavior. Stated as an action.

  • Met: Condition. Stated.

  • Met: Unit fits the behavior. Opportunities fits this behavior.

  • Met: Explicit criterion. Number and unit stated.

  • Met: Mastery rule and schedule. Both stated.

  • Met: Method produces the metric. Opportunity (trial) recording gives opportunities data.

  • Met: Review timeframe. Stated.

  • Met: Baseline and target compatible. Same unit, change in the right direction.

  • Met: Aligned with area of need. Still about Sign Language & Visual Communication.

  • Met: Level of support. Defined.

  • Met: Blanks filled in. Nothing left to fill in.

Checks structure and wording only. Whether the goal fits the student is the team's call.

Short-term objectives (optional)

When are objectives required?

Required for students on alternate assessments (34 CFR §300.320(a)(2)(ii)); some states require them for everyone.

Build objectives by

Paste into your IEP system

Most district systems have a separate box for each part of a goal. Copy them one at a time, or all at once as labeled text.

Area of need
Vision, Hearing & Assistive Technology - Sign Language & Visual Communication
Baseline
1 of 5 opportunities.
Annual goal358 characters
By the annual IEP review date, when reading a text with a new word that has a common sign, the student will look up the word in an ASL dictionary app or ask a signing adult, then sign the word and use it in a sentence independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected weekly.
Timeframe
By the annual IEP review date
Condition
When reading a text with a new word that has a common sign
Behavior
The student will look up the word in an ASL dictionary app or ask a signing adult, then sign the word and use it in a sentence independently
Criteria
In at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks
Evaluation method
Opportunity-by-opportunity data
Schedule
Weekly

Copied as plain text, with straight quotes and plain dashes.

Matching data sheet

Opportunity tracker. One box per opportunity in each session.

The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets, with formulas. Sheets print blank; no student data is stored.