News article fluency (WCPM)
When to use this goal
For high school students who read slowly in the kind of text adults read every day. Use articles at the student's instructional level, which may be a news source for students or an adapted version; present levels decide the level.
- Baseline
- Take the median of three articles at the same readability. News text has many names and numbers; decide in advance whether a misread name counts as an error and keep the rule. Ask one question after each reading to check the student is reading for meaning.
- Tips
- Real-world text keeps fluency practice respectful for high school students. Pair with a silent reading or comprehension goal so speed is not the only target. Students can graph their scores themselves.
- Limits
- Articles are not a standardized probe set, so expect week-to-week variation. Unfamiliar topics depress rate; let the student choose among topics.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID rd-flu-051.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, given an unpracticed 300-word news article at the student's instructional level, the student will read the article aloud for 1 minute independently at a rate of at least 125 words correct per minute, in 3 of 4 consecutive biweekly probes, as measured by timed probes collected every two weeks.
Baseline: 98 words correct per minute.
- 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. Oral reading fluency (WCPM) fits this behavior.
Met: Explicit criterion. Number and unit stated.
Met: Mastery rule and schedule. Both stated.
Met: Method produces the metric. Timed probes gives oral reading fluency (WCPM) 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.
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
- 98 words correct per minute.
- Annual goal324 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, given an unpracticed 300-word news article at the student's instructional level, the student will read the article aloud for 1 minute independently at a rate of at least 125 words correct per minute, in 3 of 4 consecutive biweekly probes, as measured by timed probes collected every two weeks.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- Given an unpracticed 300-word news article at the student's instructional level
- Behavior
- The student will read the article aloud for 1 minute independently
- Criteria
- At a rate of at least 125 words correct per minute, in 3 of 4 consecutive biweekly probes
- Evaluation method
- Timed probes
- Schedule
- Every two weeks
Copied as plain text, with straight quotes and plain dashes.
Matching data sheet
Reading fluency tracker. Records words attempted, errors and time.
Reading fluency tracker
Oral reading fluency (WCPM)- Student label:
- Target:
- at a rate of at least 125 words correct per minute
- Mastery rule:
- in 3 of 4 consecutive biweekly probes
- Collection schedule:
- every two weeks
- Method:
- Timed probes
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, given an unpracticed 300-word news article at the student's instructional level, the student will read the article aloud for 1 minute independently at a rate of at least 125 words correct per minute, in 3 of 4 consecutive biweekly probes, as measured by timed probes collected every two weeks.
| Date | Passage / level | Words attempted | Errors | Time (sec) | WCPM(attempted − errors) ÷ minutes | Accuracy %(attempted − errors) ÷ attempted × 100 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.
- Use unpracticed passages of comparable difficulty and the same administration directions each time.
- WCPM = (words attempted − errors) ÷ (seconds ÷ 60). For a 1-minute timing, WCPM = words attempted − errors.
- Accuracy = (words attempted − errors) ÷ words attempted × 100.
The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets, with formulas. Sheets print blank; no student data is stored.