Reduce side conversations during group work
When to use this goal
For students whose present levels show frequent unrelated conversations during group or partner work that pull the group off its task. Use with a group role and a set time for social talk. Present levels decide the target.
- Baseline
- Tally each new unrelated conversation the student starts (one tally per conversation, not per sentence). Collect at least five group work times and note the group members and the task, since some pairings make a large difference.
- Tips
- Define unrelated ahead of time with examples from the student's own groups. A planned talk break gives the social need a place. Pair with a group-role engagement measure so the goal adds a skill as well as reducing talk.
- Limits
- Group makeup changes the count; note it. Fewer side conversations do not by themselves mean the student contributes to the task.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID ef-att-048.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, during a 30-minute small-group project work time, the student will reduce starting side conversations unrelated to the group task (not counting questions or comments about the task) to no more than 2 times per 30-minute group work time, with an assigned group role card, on 4 of 5 observed group work times, as measured by frequency recording collected twice per week.
Baseline: 7 times per 30-minute group work time.
- 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
- 7 times per 30-minute group work time.
- Annual goal399 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, during a 30-minute small-group project work time, the student will reduce starting side conversations unrelated to the group task (not counting questions or comments about the task) to no more than 2 times per 30-minute group work time, with an assigned group role card, on 4 of 5 observed group work times, as measured by frequency recording collected twice per week.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- During a 30-minute small-group project work time
- Behavior
- The student will reduce starting side conversations unrelated to the group task (not counting questions or comments about the task), with an assigned group role card
- Criteria
- No more than 2 times per 30-minute group work time, on 4 of 5 observed group work times
- 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 30-minute group work time
- Mastery rule:
- on 4 of 5 observed group work times
- Collection schedule:
- twice per week
- Method:
- Frequency (event) recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, during a 30-minute small-group project work time, the student will reduce starting side conversations unrelated to the group task (not counting questions or comments about the task) to no more than 2 times per 30-minute group work time, with an assigned group role card, on 4 of 5 observed group work times, 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 30-minute group work time.
- 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.