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Keep reading without long pauses before words

3-5, 6-8FrequencyTemplateReview and individualize before use. How templates are made
When to use this goal

For students whose accuracy is good but who stop for several seconds before many words, so their rate stays low. Long pauses usually mean slow word recognition, so present levels should show decoding of the words is mostly in place.

Baseline
Record the reading so pauses can be timed afterward; counting 3-second pauses live is hard. Note which words caused pauses: multisyllabic words, irregular words, or names. That list points to the word-level instruction to pair with this goal.
Tips
Pair with word-level automaticity practice (timed word lists drawn from the passages). Do not tell the student to guess; the aim is faster recognition, not skipping.
Limits
Pause counts depend on how hard the passage is; use a leveled set. The goal shows fewer long hesitations, not overall rate; track words correct per minute too.

Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID rd-flu-035.

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Student

How the goal refers to the student

Skill

What the student will do

Something an adult can see, count or time.

Condition

When or under what conditions

Support

Support allowed

Criterion

Number of times a defined behavior occurs during a set observation period.

Sample numbers. Replace them with the student's data.

Keep every observation the same length.

Criterion wording

Data collection

Each occurrence of a clearly defined behavior is tallied during a fixed observation period.

How often data are collected
Mastery rule

How many measurements must meet the criterion.

Timeframe

Timeframe

Goal

By the annual IEP review date, during oral reading of an unpracticed 100-word passage at the student's instructional level, the student will reduce pausing for 3 seconds or longer before reading a word to no more than 2 times per 100-word passage, in 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by frequency recording collected weekly.

Baseline: 9 times per 100-word passage.

  • Condition
  • Observable behavior
  • Criterion
  • Measurement method

ObjectivesCopy by fieldData sheet

Measurability check11 of 11 met
  • Met: Observable behavior. Stated as an action.

  • Met: Condition. Stated.

  • Met: Unit fits the behavior. Frequency fits this behavior.

  • Met: Explicit criterion. Number and unit stated.

  • Met: Mastery rule and schedule. Both stated.

  • Met: Method produces the metric. Frequency (event) recording gives frequency 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 Fluency.

  • 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.

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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 Fluency
Baseline
9 times per 100-word passage.
Annual goal337 characters
By the annual IEP review date, during oral reading of an unpracticed 100-word passage at the student's instructional level, the student will reduce pausing for 3 seconds or longer before reading a word to no more than 2 times per 100-word passage, in 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by frequency recording collected weekly.
Timeframe
By the annual IEP review date
Condition
During oral reading of an unpracticed 100-word passage at the student's instructional level
Behavior
The student will reduce pausing for 3 seconds or longer before reading a word
Criteria
No more than 2 times per 100-word passage, in 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes
Evaluation method
Frequency recording
Schedule
Weekly

Copied as plain text, with straight quotes and plain dashes.

Matching data sheet

Frequency & rate tracker. Records the count and the observation length.

The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets, with formulas. Sheets print blank; no student data is stored.