Retell a story with key elements
Live goal preview
By the annual IEP review date, after reading an unpracticed instructional-level narrative passage, the student will retell the story orally in sequence, including the characters, setting, problem, key events, and resolution without looking back at the text, earning a score of at least 8 out of 10 on a 5-element story retell rubric scored 0–2 per element, on 3 of 4 consecutive scored retells, as measured by a defined scoring rubric collected every two weeks.
Baseline: 4 out of 10 rubric points.
- 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. Rubric score 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. Rubric scoring can produce rubric score 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 Reading Comprehension.
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
- For students whose present levels show disorganized or incomplete retells. Use the student's instructional or listening level, as shown by assessment, to choose stories; grade does not decide fit.
- Baseline considerations
- Collect two or three retells on unfamiliar stories, recorded if possible. Score each element 0 (absent), 1 (partial or out of order), 2 (complete). Note whether the student lists details without structure.
- Usage notes
- Retell is a natural, low-prep comprehension measure. Fade the graphic organizer before calling the goal met. Can be adapted for written retell, though that also measures writing.
- Known limitations
- Oral retell depends on expressive language; consult the speech-language pathologist if language skills may be the barrier. Scoring requires clear definitions for partial credit. Story length and complexity affect scores.
- Source
- Original IEP Atlas draft (AI-assisted) based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. Template ID
rd-comp-002.
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
Rubric tracker. Your goal is a rubric score, so the sheet scores each rubric criterion and totals them.
Rubric tracker
Rubric score- Student label:
- Target:
- earning a score of at least 8 out of 10 on a 5-element story retell rubric scored 0–2 per element
- Mastery rule:
- on 3 of 4 consecutive scored retells
- Collection schedule:
- every two weeks
- Method:
- Rubric scoring
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, after reading an unpracticed instructional-level narrative passage, the student will retell the story orally in sequence, including the characters, setting, problem, key events, and resolution without looking back at the text, earning a score of at least 8 out of 10 on a 5-element story retell rubric scored 0–2 per element, on 3 of 4 consecutive scored retells, as measured by a defined scoring rubric collected every two weeks.
| Date | Task / sample | Characters: names the main character or characters | Setting: tells where and when the story happens | Problem: states the main problem or goal | Key events: tells at least three important events in order | Resolution: tells how the problem is solved or the story ends | Total (of 10) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.
- Score each sample with a 5-element story retell rubric scored 0–2 per element. Attach or reference the rubric's score descriptors.
- Use the same prompt type and conditions for each scored sample.
- If two people score, check agreement on a few samples before relying on the data.
The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets with formulas for the calculated columns. Sheets are blank: IEP Atlas doesn't store student data.