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Short vowel sounds on a timed probe

K-2Rate (per minute)TemplateReview and individualize before use. How templates are made
When to use this goal

For students who know the five short vowel sounds untimed but hesitate and mix them up (e and i are common), which slows every word they decode. Fit depends on present levels showing accurate untimed vowel sounds.

Baseline
Use three shuffled versions and take the median. Tally which vowels cause errors; e and i swaps point to a sound discrimination need worth sharing with the SLP.
Tips
Short vowels are the hardest letter sounds for many students. The full letter-sound fluency probe lives in the decoding templates; this one isolates vowels.
Limits
Vowel sounds vary by dialect; agree on accepted sounds. Fast vowel naming does not ensure correct vowels in words.

Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID rd-let-025.

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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

Count of correct responses per minute on a timed task.

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

Criterion wording

Data collection

A fixed-length timing (for example, 1 or 2 minutes) used to calculate a per-minute rate.

How often data are collected
Mastery rule

How many measurements must meet the criterion.

Timeframe

Timeframe

Goal

By the annual IEP review date, given a 1-minute probe of the vowels a, e, i, o, and u repeated in random order, the student will say the short sound for each vowel across the rows independently at a rate of at least 40 correct letter sounds per minute, in 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by timed probes collected weekly.

Baseline: 18 correct letter sounds per minute.

  • 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. Rate (per minute) 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 rate (per minute) 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 Letter Names & Sounds.

  • 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.

Build objectives by

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 - Letter Names & Sounds
Baseline
18 correct letter sounds per minute.
Annual goal335 characters
By the annual IEP review date, given a 1-minute probe of the vowels a, e, i, o, and u repeated in random order, the student will say the short sound for each vowel across the rows independently at a rate of at least 40 correct letter sounds per minute, in 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by timed probes collected weekly.
Timeframe
By the annual IEP review date
Condition
Given a 1-minute probe of the vowels a, e, i, o, and u repeated in random order
Behavior
The student will say the short sound for each vowel across the rows independently
Criteria
At a rate of at least 40 correct letter sounds per minute, in 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes
Evaluation method
Timed probes
Schedule
Weekly

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

Matching data sheet

Frequency & rate tracker. Records timing length and number correct.

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