Reduce phone checks during class instruction
When to use this goal
For high school students whose present levels show frequent phone checks that pull attention away from instruction, in schools where phones are allowed in class. Use with a plan for when the phone is used (a set break, a phone pocket). Present levels decide the target.
- Baseline
- Tally each time the phone comes out for non-class use. Collect at least five periods across different classes and note what was happening (teacher talk, independent work, a wait). The student can keep a parallel self-tally to compare.
- Tips
- Plan the replacement with the student: the midpoint check, notifications off during class, or the phone in a bag across the room. Student-chosen strategies work better than confiscation. Compare the student's self-tally with the adult's to build self-monitoring.
- Limits
- Only covers classes where phones are allowed. Fewer phone checks do not by themselves show engagement; pair with an engagement measure such as ef-att-021 if needed.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID ef-att-036.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, during a 50-minute class period in which phones are allowed but not part of the lesson, the student will reduce taking out the phone for non-class use during instruction (not counting a planned phone break or a teacher-directed use) to no more than 2 times per 50-minute class period, with the phone kept in a backpack pocket the student chooses, in 4 of 5 consecutive observed periods, as measured by frequency recording collected twice per week.
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 Sustained Attention & Task Engagement.
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
- Executive Function - Sustained Attention & Task Engagement
- Baseline
- 8 times per 50-minute class period.
- Annual goal478 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, during a 50-minute class period in which phones are allowed but not part of the lesson, the student will reduce taking out the phone for non-class use during instruction (not counting a planned phone break or a teacher-directed use) to no more than 2 times per 50-minute class period, with the phone kept in a backpack pocket the student chooses, in 4 of 5 consecutive observed periods, as measured by frequency recording collected twice per week.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- During a 50-minute class period in which phones are allowed but not part of the lesson
- Behavior
- The student will reduce taking out the phone for non-class use during instruction (not counting a planned phone break or a teacher-directed use), with the phone kept in a backpack pocket the student chooses
- Criteria
- No more than 2 times per 50-minute class period, in 4 of 5 consecutive observed periods
- Evaluation method
- Frequency recording
- Schedule
- Twice per week
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:
- in 4 of 5 consecutive observed periods
- Collection schedule:
- twice per week
- Method:
- Frequency (event) recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, during a 50-minute class period in which phones are allowed but not part of the lesson, the student will reduce taking out the phone for non-class use during instruction (not counting a planned phone break or a teacher-directed use) to no more than 2 times per 50-minute class period, with the phone kept in a backpack pocket the student chooses, in 4 of 5 consecutive observed periods, as measured by frequency recording collected twice per week.
| 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.