Name the topic first so partners can follow
When to use this goal
For students whose short or single-word device messages, partial speech, or gestures are hard for partners to interpret without context. Naming the topic first ("about lunch", "it's a person", "from home") narrows the partner's guesses. Base the choice on observed breakdowns with less familiar partners.
- Baseline
- Record five messages about things the partner did not see and whether the student set the topic, and how many partner guesses it took to get the message. Fewer guesses after topic setting is the clearest sign the strategy helps.
- Tips
- Each message about an unseen topic is one opportunity, scored independent when the student sets the topic before the main message without a prompt. Track the number of partner guesses as a secondary measure. Familiar partners may not need the clue; less familiar ones benefit most.
- Limits
- Topic setting helps partners but does not add vocabulary. Partners' guessing skill varies, which affects the secondary measure.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID sl-aac-055.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, when starting a message about something the partner did not see, such as an event at home or in another class, the student will give a topic clue on the device, board, or by gesture (such as "about home" or "a person") before the main message independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive therapy sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected during each therapy session and twice monthly with less familiar partners.
Baseline: 0 of 5 opportunities.
- 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. Opportunities fits this behavior.
Met: Explicit criterion. Number and unit stated.
Met: Mastery rule and schedule. Both stated.
Met: Method produces the metric. Opportunity (trial) recording gives opportunities 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 of 5 opportunities.
- Annual goal492 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, when starting a message about something the partner did not see, such as an event at home or in another class, the student will give a topic clue on the device, board, or by gesture (such as "about home" or "a person") before the main message independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive therapy sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected during each therapy session and twice monthly with less familiar partners.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- When starting a message about something the partner did not see, such as an event at home or in another class
- Behavior
- The student will give a topic clue on the device, board, or by gesture (such as "about home" or "a person") before the main message independently
- Criteria
- In at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive therapy sessions
- Evaluation method
- Opportunity-by-opportunity data
- Schedule
- During each therapy session and twice monthly with less familiar partners
Copied as plain text, with straight quotes and plain dashes.
Matching data sheet
Opportunity tracker. One box per opportunity in each session.
Opportunity tracker
Opportunities- Student label:
- Target:
- in at least 4 of 5 opportunities
- Mastery rule:
- across 3 consecutive therapy sessions
- Collection schedule:
- during each therapy session and twice monthly with less familiar partners
- Method:
- Opportunity (trial) recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, when starting a message about something the partner did not see, such as an event at home or in another class, the student will give a topic clue on the device, board, or by gesture (such as "about home" or "a person") before the main message independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive therapy sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected during each therapy session and twice monthly with less familiar partners.
Key: + demonstrated independently · P demonstrated with a prompt (note type) · − not demonstrated · NA no opportunity occurred
| Date | Activity / context | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | # + (of 5) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.
- Record up to 5 opportunities per session, matching the goal's denominator.
- Define in advance what counts as an opportunity so every data collector records the same thing.
- Count only + marks toward the criterion unless the goal specifies prompted responses.
The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets, with formulas. Sheets print blank; no student data is stored.