Finish the first task on a first-then board
When to use this goal
For young students who stop or refuse a less preferred activity and go straight to the preferred one, and who can match a picture to an activity. Present levels in picture use and the behavior data decide fit, not age.
- Baseline
- Use a first task the student can already do in a minute or two. Record five sequences per day for three days: finished first, started but left, or did not start. Confirm the "then" activity is truly preferred that day; offer a choice of two before showing the board.
- Tips
- Always deliver the "then" right away when the first task is done; a board that breaks its promise stops working. Lengthen the first task slowly. Families can use the same board for routines at home. This builds toward following spoken directions with a delay.
- Limits
- Depends on a strong preferred activity; if preferences change often, update the choice daily. Does not teach the first task itself; that needs its own goal if it is a new skill.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID bh-dir-035.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, when an adult presents a first-then board showing a short non-preferred task followed by a preferred activity, the student will finish the "first" task shown on the board before moving to the "then" activity independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, on 4 of 5 consecutive school days, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected 5 first-then sequences per day.
Baseline: 1 of 5 opportunities.
- 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. 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 Following Adult Directions.
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 - Following Adult Directions
- Baseline
- 1 of 5 opportunities.
- Annual goal410 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, when an adult presents a first-then board showing a short non-preferred task followed by a preferred activity, the student will finish the "first" task shown on the board before moving to the "then" activity independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, on 4 of 5 consecutive school days, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected 5 first-then sequences per day.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- When an adult presents a first-then board showing a short non-preferred task followed by a preferred activity
- Behavior
- The student will finish the "first" task shown on the board before moving to the "then" activity independently
- Criteria
- In at least 4 of 5 opportunities, on 4 of 5 consecutive school days
- Evaluation method
- Opportunity-by-opportunity data
- Schedule
- 5 first-then sequences per day
Copied as plain text, with straight quotes and plain dashes.
Matching data sheet
Opportunity tracker. One box per opportunity in each session.
Opportunity tracker
Opportunities- Student label:
- Target:
- in at least 4 of 5 opportunities
- Mastery rule:
- on 4 of 5 consecutive school days
- Collection schedule:
- 5 first-then sequences per day
- Method:
- Opportunity (trial) recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, when an adult presents a first-then board showing a short non-preferred task followed by a preferred activity, the student will finish the "first" task shown on the board before moving to the "then" activity independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, on 4 of 5 consecutive school days, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected 5 first-then sequences per day.
Key: + demonstrated independently · P demonstrated with a prompt (note type) · − not demonstrated · NA no opportunity occurred
| Date | Activity / context | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | # + (of 5) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.
- Record up to 5 opportunities per session, matching the goal's denominator.
- Define in advance what counts as an opportunity so every data collector records the same thing.
- Count only + marks toward the criterion unless the goal specifies prompted responses.
The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets, with formulas. Sheets print blank; no student data is stored.