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Write a CER response with sentence frames

3-5, 6-8Rubric scoreTemplateReview and individualize before use. How templates are made
When to use this goal

For upper elementary and middle school students who answer science questions with an opinion or a single fact and no link between them. Present levels in writing two related sentences, or access to speech-to-text, decide fit.

Baseline
Score three CER responses written with the class's usual supports. Most students score first on the claim, then evidence; reasoning is the slowest row, so set the target with that in mind.
Tips
Use the same frame and rubric the science teacher uses so the student is not learning two systems. Speech-to-text or dictation is fine when the goal is the science reasoning; name it in the condition. Collect responses from class work to save probe time.
Limits
Scores rise quickly with frames and drop when they are removed, so plan fading in the progression. The rubric does not separate science knowledge from writing; a weak evidence row may reflect a misunderstanding of the content.

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

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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

Score on a rubric with defined criteria and score levels.

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

Rubric criteria

Each one becomes a scoring column on the data sheet.

Criterion wording

Data collection

Work or performance is scored against written criteria with defined score levels.

How often data are collected
Mastery rule

How many measurements must meet the criterion.

Timeframe

Timeframe

Goal

By the annual IEP review date, after a science investigation, given the investigation question, the class data and a claim, evidence and reasoning frame, the student will write a claim that answers the question, one piece of evidence from the data or text, and one reasoning sentence that links them independently, earning a score of at least 7 out of 9 on a 3-row CER rubric scored 0 to 3 per row, on 3 of 4 consecutive scored responses, as measured by a defined scoring rubric collected every two weeks.

Baseline: 3 out of 9 rubric points.

  • 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. Rubric score fits this behavior.

  • Met: Explicit criterion. Number and unit stated.

  • Met: Mastery rule and schedule. Both stated.

  • Met: Method produces the metric. Rubric scoring gives rubric score 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 Science Skills.

  • 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.

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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
Science, Social Studies & Digital Literacy - Science Skills
Baseline
3 out of 9 rubric points.
Annual goal505 characters
By the annual IEP review date, after a science investigation, given the investigation question, the class data and a claim, evidence and reasoning frame, the student will write a claim that answers the question, one piece of evidence from the data or text, and one reasoning sentence that links them independently, earning a score of at least 7 out of 9 on a 3-row CER rubric scored 0 to 3 per row, on 3 of 4 consecutive scored responses, as measured by a defined scoring rubric collected every two weeks.
Timeframe
By the annual IEP review date
Condition
After a science investigation, given the investigation question, the class data and a claim, evidence and reasoning frame
Behavior
The student will write a claim that answers the question, one piece of evidence from the data or text, and one reasoning sentence that links them independently
Criteria
Earning a score of at least 7 out of 9 on a 3-row CER rubric scored 0 to 3 per row, on 3 of 4 consecutive scored responses
Evaluation method
A defined scoring rubric
Schedule
Every two weeks

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

Matching data sheet

Rubric tracker. Scores each rubric criterion and totals them.

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