Sit upright on the carpet or in a chair for group instruction
When to use this goal
For students who slump, lean on peers or furniture, lie down, or W-sit within a minute or two of sitting, so they cannot see the teacher or use their hands during group time. Base the choice on timing upright sitting during baseline; the PT or OT should check seating options first.
- Baseline
- Time upright sitting from the start of three lessons until the first slump or lie-down lasting more than 10 seconds. Try a cushion or small chair on one day to see whether equipment alone changes the time; if it does, the goal is about building tolerance with the equipment named as the support. Rule out W-sitting as the student's only stable position before targeting it.
- Tips
- Sitting endurance is a postural control issue, not a behavior issue; coordinate with the PT or OT on core strength activities and seating. Change the support option as the student needs less equipment. Many students do better with movement breaks built into the lesson.
- Limits
- Minutes upright does not measure attention or participation. Low muscle tone and some medical conditions limit how long upright sitting is realistic; the PT should set a safe target. Chairs and carpets differ, so name the seating in the condition.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID mt-gm-007.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, during a 15-minute carpet-time lesson, the student will sit upright with the trunk off the floor, legs crossed or to the side, and hands free independently for at least 8 minutes, on 4 of 5 consecutive observed lessons, as measured by duration recording collected twice weekly during carpet time.
Baseline: 2 minutes.
- 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. Duration fits this behavior.
Met: Explicit criterion. Number and unit stated.
Met: Mastery rule and schedule. Both stated.
Met: Method produces the metric. Duration recording gives duration 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 Gross Motor Skills.
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
- Motor & Sensory Skills (OT, PT & Adapted PE) - Gross Motor Skills
- Baseline
- 2 minutes.
- Annual goal327 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, during a 15-minute carpet-time lesson, the student will sit upright with the trunk off the floor, legs crossed or to the side, and hands free independently for at least 8 minutes, on 4 of 5 consecutive observed lessons, as measured by duration recording collected twice weekly during carpet time.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- During a 15-minute carpet-time lesson
- Behavior
- The student will sit upright with the trunk off the floor, legs crossed or to the side, and hands free independently
- Criteria
- For at least 8 minutes, on 4 of 5 consecutive observed lessons
- Evaluation method
- Duration recording
- Schedule
- Twice weekly during carpet time
Copied as plain text, with straight quotes and plain dashes.
Matching data sheet
Duration tracker. Records start and end times.
Duration tracker
Duration- Student label:
- Target:
- for at least 8 minutes
- Mastery rule:
- on 4 of 5 consecutive observed lessons
- Collection schedule:
- twice weekly during carpet time
- Method:
- Duration recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, during a 15-minute carpet-time lesson, the student will sit upright with the trunk off the floor, legs crossed or to the side, and hands free independently for at least 8 minutes, on 4 of 5 consecutive observed lessons, as measured by duration recording collected twice weekly during carpet time.
| Date | Activity / context | Start time | End time | Duration (minutes) | Target duration | Support levele.g., independent, 1 verbal prompt | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.
- Start timing when the defined behavior begins and stop when it ends, using the definitions agreed by the team.
- The goal is reached when duration is at least the target (8 minutes).
- Note interruptions that weren't caused by the student.
The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets, with formulas. Sheets print blank; no student data is stored.