Try a hard task on a two-minute timer
When to use this goal
For students who put off a disliked task because it feels endless. A short start timer (work for just two minutes, then decide) makes the start small. Present levels show the student can do the task; grade does not decide fit.
- Baseline
- List the tasks the student avoids most. For five of them, record whether the student started within 2 minutes of it becoming the next task, and what happened instead. After teaching, record timer use and the start.
- Tips
- The promise is real: after two minutes the student may switch, take a break, or keep going. Most keep going, and that can be tracked separately. Record starts on the student's task list with a small t for timer used. Fits well in study hall and resource periods.
- Limits
- If the student never continues past two minutes, the task may be too hard or too long; check level and length. Does not measure how much gets done.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID ef-ti-039.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, when a non-preferred assignment is the next task on the student's list during a work period, the student will set a two-minute timer and begin the avoided task as soon as the timer starts independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks of data, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected twice weekly.
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 Task Initiation.
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 - Task Initiation
- Baseline
- 1 of 5 opportunities.
- Annual goal373 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, when a non-preferred assignment is the next task on the student's list during a work period, the student will set a two-minute timer and begin the avoided task as soon as the timer starts independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks of data, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected twice weekly.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- When a non-preferred assignment is the next task on the student's list during a work period
- Behavior
- The student will set a two-minute timer and begin the avoided task as soon as the timer starts independently
- Criteria
- In at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks of data
- Evaluation method
- Opportunity-by-opportunity data
- Schedule
- Twice weekly
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 of data
- Collection schedule:
- twice weekly
- Method:
- Opportunity (trial) recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, when a non-preferred assignment is the next task on the student's list during a work period, the student will set a two-minute timer and begin the avoided task as soon as the timer starts independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks of data, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected twice weekly.
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.