Choose to wait for a bigger reward
When to use this goal
For primary students who always take the smaller thing now (one sticker, a short break) over a bigger thing later, which makes reward systems hard to use. Present levels decide fit. Waits start very short and grow.
- Baseline
- Offer 5 or more choices with a very short wait and record which the student chose and whether they waited. Write an operational definition first (what counts as the impulsive response and what counts as using the strategy), and teach and practice the strategy before measuring it.
- Tips
- Always deliver the later reward exactly when promised. Lengthen waits slowly. Score an opportunity as met when the student chose and finished the wait.
- Limits
- Depends on adult reliability. Not for students with no reward system in place.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID ef-ic-012.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, when offered a choice between a small reward now and a larger one after a short wait, the student will choose the larger later option and wait with a visual timer until it arrives independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected daily.
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 Impulse Control & Inhibition.
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 - Impulse Control & Inhibition
- Baseline
- 1 of 5 opportunities.
- Annual goal350 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, when offered a choice between a small reward now and a larger one after a short wait, the student will choose the larger later option and wait with a visual timer until it arrives independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected daily.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- When offered a choice between a small reward now and a larger one after a short wait
- Behavior
- The student will choose the larger later option and wait with a visual timer until it arrives independently
- Criteria
- In at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks
- Evaluation method
- Opportunity-by-opportunity data
- Schedule
- Daily
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:
- across 3 consecutive weeks
- Collection schedule:
- daily
- Method:
- Opportunity (trial) recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, when offered a choice between a small reward now and a larger one after a short wait, the student will choose the larger later option and wait with a visual timer until it arrives independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected daily.
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.