Bring up a new topic with peers
When to use this goal
For older students who answer on their device when asked but rarely start a conversation topic of their own, so peers decide what is talked about. Topic starters can be stored messages, photos on the device, or a quick message typed ahead. Base the choice on observation of social times, not grade.
- Baseline
- Tally topic starts during two social periods and note who starts topics and how peers respond. Ask the student what they like to talk about and what topics peers enjoy; store those starters together.
- Tips
- Tally each new topic the student starts with peers, prepared or spontaneous; note which. Refresh starters weekly with real news and interests. Teach peers to wait for the message to finish. A student who prefers quiet lunches may set a smaller target; the student's choice matters here.
- Limits
- Peer groups vary week to week, which changes the count. Starting topics is one part of conversation; it does not show how long the talk lasts.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID sl-aac-046.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, during lunch, advisory, or a club meeting with familiar peers, the student will start a new topic with peers on the device (such as sharing news, showing a photo, or asking an opinion) independently at least 3 times per 20-minute social period, on 3 of 4 consecutive observed days, as measured by frequency recording collected weekly.
Baseline: 0 times per 20-minute social period.
- 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. 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 AAC & Augmentative Communication.
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
- Speech & Language - AAC & Augmentative Communication
- Baseline
- 0 times per 20-minute social period.
- Annual goal365 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, during lunch, advisory, or a club meeting with familiar peers, the student will start a new topic with peers on the device (such as sharing news, showing a photo, or asking an opinion) independently at least 3 times per 20-minute social period, on 3 of 4 consecutive observed days, as measured by frequency recording collected weekly.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- During lunch, advisory, or a club meeting with familiar peers
- Behavior
- The student will start a new topic with peers on the device (such as sharing news, showing a photo, or asking an opinion) independently
- Criteria
- At least 3 times per 20-minute social period, on 3 of 4 consecutive observed days
- 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.
Frequency & rate tracker
Frequency- Student label:
- Target:
- at least 3 times per 20-minute social period
- Mastery rule:
- on 3 of 4 consecutive observed days
- Collection schedule:
- weekly
- Method:
- Frequency (event) recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, during lunch, advisory, or a club meeting with familiar peers, the student will start a new topic with peers on the device (such as sharing news, showing a photo, or asking an opinion) independently at least 3 times per 20-minute social period, on 3 of 4 consecutive observed days, as measured by frequency recording collected weekly.
| Date | Observation period (start–end) | Minutes observed | Activity / context | Count (tally) | Rate per minutecount ÷ minutes (only if periods vary) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.
- Count each occurrence of the defined behavior per 20-minute social period.
- Keep the observation length the same each session. If it varies, compare rate per minute, not raw counts.
- Write the behavior definition at the top of the sheet so all data collectors count the same thing.
The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets, with formulas. Sheets print blank; no student data is stored.