Reduce phone use outside the posted phone times
When to use this goal
A reduction goal for secondary students whose phone use during instruction is frequent enough to block learning, in a school or class with a clear phone policy. Base it on event recording with the plan's definition of phone use. Pair it with a positive goal for the scheduled phone check (see the replacement-behavior skill).
- Baseline
- Count each separate time the phone comes out during instruction for five periods, using the plan's definition. Ask the student what the phone is for at those moments (messages from family, music to focus, games); the answer points to the replacement. Family messages may need a school-approved channel.
- Tips
- Never the only goal: the scheduled phone check is the replacement and must be honored on time. Music to focus may be a reasonable accommodation with headphones; decide that before counting it. Graph phone checks used and phone use outside the times together.
- Limits
- Phones hidden under desks are easy to miss; observers should sit with a view of the student. Policies differ by school, so the definition must match the school's rule.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID bh-cls-048.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, during a 50-minute class period with posted phone times at the start and the midpoint, the student will reduce using a phone during class outside the posted phone times, as defined in the behavior plan (screen on and in hand or on the lap) to no more than 2 times per 50-minute class period, with a 2-minute phone check offered at the midpoint of the period, on 4 of 5 consecutive observed class periods, as measured by frequency recording collected one class period daily, summarized weekly.
Baseline: 8 times per 50-minute class period.
- Condition
- Observable behavior
- Criterion
- Measurement method
Measurability check11 of 11 met
Met: Observable behavior. Stated as an action.
Met: Condition. Stated.
Met: Unit fits the behavior. Frequency fits this behavior.
Met: Explicit criterion. Number and unit stated.
Met: Mastery rule and schedule. Both stated.
Met: Method produces the metric. Frequency (event) recording gives frequency 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 Classroom Expectations & Routines.
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.
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
- Behavior & Classroom Expectations - Classroom Expectations & Routines
- Baseline
- 8 times per 50-minute class period.
- Annual goal523 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, during a 50-minute class period with posted phone times at the start and the midpoint, the student will reduce using a phone during class outside the posted phone times, as defined in the behavior plan (screen on and in hand or on the lap) to no more than 2 times per 50-minute class period, with a 2-minute phone check offered at the midpoint of the period, on 4 of 5 consecutive observed class periods, as measured by frequency recording collected one class period daily, summarized weekly.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- During a 50-minute class period with posted phone times at the start and the midpoint
- Behavior
- The student will reduce using a phone during class outside the posted phone times, as defined in the behavior plan (screen on and in hand or on the lap), with a 2-minute phone check offered at the midpoint of the period
- Criteria
- No more than 2 times per 50-minute class period, on 4 of 5 consecutive observed class periods
- Evaluation method
- Frequency recording
- Schedule
- One class period daily, summarized weekly
Copied as plain text, with straight quotes and plain dashes.
Matching data sheet
Frequency & rate tracker. Records the count and the observation length.
Frequency & rate tracker
Frequency- Student label:
- Target:
- no more than 2 times per 50-minute class period
- Mastery rule:
- on 4 of 5 consecutive observed class periods
- Collection schedule:
- one class period daily, summarized weekly
- Method:
- Frequency (event) recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, during a 50-minute class period with posted phone times at the start and the midpoint, the student will reduce using a phone during class outside the posted phone times, as defined in the behavior plan (screen on and in hand or on the lap) to no more than 2 times per 50-minute class period, with a 2-minute phone check offered at the midpoint of the period, on 4 of 5 consecutive observed class periods, as measured by frequency recording collected one class period daily, summarized weekly.
| Date | Observation period (start–end) | Minutes observed | Activity / context | Count (tally) | Rate per minutecount ÷ minutes (only if periods vary) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.
- Count each occurrence of the defined behavior per 50-minute class period.
- Keep the observation length the same each session. If it varies, compare rate per minute, not raw counts.
- Write the behavior definition at the top of the sheet so all data collectors count the same thing.
The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets, with formulas. Sheets print blank; no student data is stored.