Begin work after a whole-class direction without an extra prompt
Live goal preview
By the annual IEP review date, when a direction to begin work is given to the whole class, the student will begin the assigned task within 1 minute of the whole-class direction without an additional adult prompt in at least 8 of 10 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks of data, as measured by direct observation collected daily during two selected class periods.
Baseline: 3 of 10 opportunities.
- Condition
- Observable behavior
- Criterion
- Measurement method
Measurability check10 of 10 met
All structural checks are met.
Met: Observable behavior. The behavior is stated as an action.
Met: Condition. The goal states when or under what conditions the behavior occurs.
Met: Unit fits the behavior. Opportunities is a reasonable way to quantify this behavior.
Met: Explicit criterion. The success criterion is stated with a number and unit.
Met: Mastery rule and schedule. Mastery rule and collection schedule are stated.
Met: Method produces the metric. Direct observation can produce opportunities data.
Met: Review timeframe. The goal includes a timeframe.
Met: Baseline and target compatible. Baseline and target use the same unit and show change in the intended direction.
Met: Aligned with area of need. The wording still relates to Task Initiation.
Met: Level of support. The level of support is defined.
What this checks: the goal's structure and wording, using fixed rules: observable behavior, condition, criterion, method, mastery rule, timeframe, baseline/target consistency, and support. It can't judge whether the goal is appropriate, ambitious enough, or legally sufficient for a particular student. That requires assessment data and the IEP team.
About this template
- Level guidance
- Fits when present levels show the student starts work only after individual reminders. Use in general or special education settings at any grade where present levels, not grade, show this need.
- Baseline considerations
- Record each whole-class direction to begin as one opportunity and mark whether the student started within 1 minute without an individual prompt. Note how many individual prompts were needed when the student did not start. Gather at least 10 opportunities across several days.
- Usage notes
- Use when the concern is reliance on adult reminders rather than raw delay. An opportunity counts as independent only if no adult spoke to, gestured to, or approached the student about starting. Agree in advance whether peer reminders count as prompts.
- Known limitations
- Does not show how long the delay is on unsuccessful opportunities; use a latency goal for that. Depends on adults withholding prompts during the 1-minute window, which takes coordination in busy classrooms.
- Source
- Original IEP Atlas draft (AI-assisted) based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. Template ID
ef-ti-003.
Short-term objectives (optional)
When are objectives required?Federal IDEA regulations require benchmarks or short-term objectives only for students who take alternate assessments aligned to alternate academic achievement standards (34 CFR §300.320(a)(2)(ii)). Your state or district may require them more broadly.
Matching data sheet
Opportunity tracker. Your goal counts opportunities, so the sheet has one box per opportunity in each session.
Opportunity tracker
Opportunities- Student label:
- Target:
- in at least 8 of 10 opportunities
- Mastery rule:
- across 3 consecutive weeks of data
- Collection schedule:
- daily during two selected class periods
- Method:
- Direct observation
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, when a direction to begin work is given to the whole class, the student will begin the assigned task within 1 minute of the whole-class direction without an additional adult prompt in at least 8 of 10 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks of data, as measured by direct observation collected daily during two selected class periods.
Key: + demonstrated independently · P demonstrated with a prompt (note type) · − not demonstrated · NA no opportunity occurred
| Date | Activity / context | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | # + (of 10) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.
- Record up to 10 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 for the calculated columns. Sheets are blank: IEP Atlas doesn't store student data.