Write a letter to an elected official
When to use this goal
For high school students who have opinions about community issues but do not know how to share them with the people who decide. Present levels in letter or email writing decide fit.
- Baseline
- Score one or two letters on issues the student cares about. Check whether the student knows which level of government handles the issue; if not, pair with ca-ss-037.
- Tips
- Sending the letter is the student's and family's choice. Any issue is fine; the rubric scores the letter's parts, not the opinion. Links to self-advocacy and transition writing.
- Limits
- Few letters per year means few data points. The rubric does not score spelling or grammar unless the team adds a row.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID ca-ss-034.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, after choosing a local or state issue, given the official's name and title and a letter template, the student will write a letter or email that names the issue, states their position, gives one fact or personal example, and asks for a specific action independently, earning a score of at least 10 out of 12 on a 4-row civic letter rubric scored 0 to 3 per row, on 3 of 4 consecutive scored letters, as measured by a defined scoring rubric collected monthly.
Baseline: 4 out of 12 rubric points.
- 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. 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 Social Studies 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.
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 - Social Studies Skills
- Baseline
- 4 out of 12 rubric points.
- Annual goal488 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, after choosing a local or state issue, given the official's name and title and a letter template, the student will write a letter or email that names the issue, states their position, gives one fact or personal example, and asks for a specific action independently, earning a score of at least 10 out of 12 on a 4-row civic letter rubric scored 0 to 3 per row, on 3 of 4 consecutive scored letters, as measured by a defined scoring rubric collected monthly.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- After choosing a local or state issue, given the official's name and title and a letter template
- Behavior
- The student will write a letter or email that names the issue, states their position, gives one fact or personal example, and asks for a specific action independently
- Criteria
- Earning a score of at least 10 out of 12 on a 4-row civic letter rubric scored 0 to 3 per row, on 3 of 4 consecutive scored letters
- Evaluation method
- A defined scoring rubric
- Schedule
- Monthly
Copied as plain text, with straight quotes and plain dashes.
Matching data sheet
Rubric tracker. Scores each rubric criterion and totals them.
Rubric tracker
Rubric score- Student label:
- Target:
- earning a score of at least 10 out of 12 on a 4-row civic letter rubric scored 0 to 3 per row
- Mastery rule:
- on 3 of 4 consecutive scored letters
- Collection schedule:
- monthly
- Method:
- Rubric scoring
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, after choosing a local or state issue, given the official's name and title and a letter template, the student will write a letter or email that names the issue, states their position, gives one fact or personal example, and asks for a specific action independently, earning a score of at least 10 out of 12 on a 4-row civic letter rubric scored 0 to 3 per row, on 3 of 4 consecutive scored letters, as measured by a defined scoring rubric collected monthly.
| Date | Task / sample | Addresses the right official by title | States the issue and position clearly | Supports the position with a fact or example | Asks for a specific action, with a polite closing | Total (of 12) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.
- Score each sample with a 4-row civic letter rubric scored 0 to 3 per row. Attach or reference the rubric's score descriptors.
- Use the same prompt type and conditions for each scored sample.
- If two people score, check agreement on a few samples before relying on the data.
The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets, with formulas. Sheets print blank; no student data is stored.