Identify the cause and effect of an event
When to use this goal
For students who answer literal questions but cannot say why something happened or what happened as a result, which question-type analysis will show. Text level comes from assessment; cause-effect relationships can be stated or implied, and the progression moves from one to the other.
- Baseline
- Write an answer key with acceptable wordings. Separate items where the relationship is stated with a signal word from items where it is implied, and score them separately; the gap tells you where to start. Note whether the student reverses cause and effect, which is a common error.
- Tips
- Teach signal words first, then implied relationships. The content-area condition connects the skill to science explanations and historical events, where it matters most. Accept oral answers.
- Limits
- Some events have several causes; write questions with a clear answer. Implied relationships require inference, so scores may drop at that step. Written answers also reflect writing skills.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID rd-comp-010.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, after reading an unpracticed instructional-level passage, given 5 questions that each ask for the cause or the effect of a named event, the student will state the cause or the effect asked for in each question independently with at least 80% accuracy on cause-and-effect items, on 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by work-sample analysis collected weekly.
Baseline: 30% accuracy.
- 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. Percent accuracy fits this behavior.
Met: Explicit criterion. Number and unit stated.
Met: Mastery rule and schedule. Both stated.
Met: Method produces the metric. Work-sample analysis gives percent accuracy 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 Reading Comprehension.
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
- Reading - Reading Comprehension
- Baseline
- 30% accuracy.
- Annual goal399 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, after reading an unpracticed instructional-level passage, given 5 questions that each ask for the cause or the effect of a named event, the student will state the cause or the effect asked for in each question independently with at least 80% accuracy on cause-and-effect items, on 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by work-sample analysis collected weekly.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- After reading an unpracticed instructional-level passage, given 5 questions that each ask for the cause or the effect of a named event
- Behavior
- The student will state the cause or the effect asked for in each question independently
- Criteria
- With at least 80% accuracy on cause-and-effect items, on 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes
- Evaluation method
- Work-sample analysis
- Schedule
- Weekly
Copied as plain text, with straight quotes and plain dashes.
Matching data sheet
Accuracy tracker. Records number correct and number attempted.
Accuracy tracker
Percent accuracy- Student label:
- Target:
- with at least 80% accuracy on cause-and-effect items
- Mastery rule:
- on 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes
- Collection schedule:
- weekly
- Method:
- Work-sample analysis
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, after reading an unpracticed instructional-level passage, given 5 questions that each ask for the cause or the effect of a named event, the student will state the cause or the effect asked for in each question independently with at least 80% accuracy on cause-and-effect items, on 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by work-sample analysis collected weekly.
| Date | Task / materials | # correct | # attempted | % accuracycorrect ÷ attempted × 100 | Support levele.g., independent, 1 verbal prompt | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.
- Score only items the student attempted unless the goal defines a fixed set of items. Use the same denominator every session.
- Percent = numerator ÷ denominator × 100. Round to one decimal place.
- Record the support actually provided, even if the goal is independent performance.
The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets, with formulas. Sheets print blank; no student data is stored.