Place the tongue for voiceless "th" in words
When to use this goal
For students who replace voiceless "th" (as in thumb, bathtub, tooth) with /f/, /s/, or /t/ when that substitution is not part of their home dialect, past the age when "th" is usually established. Base the choice on the SLP's probe and on what the student's community dialect does. "Th" is one of the last sounds to develop, so check norms carefully for young students.
- Baseline
- Probe voiceless "th" in each position and record the substitution. Ask the family how "th" is said at home and listen to speakers from the student's community: /f/ for "th" at the end of words (as in "baf" for bath) is a regular feature of African American English and some other dialects, and is not an error in those dialects.
- Tips
- Score correct when the SLP hears a clear "th" with the tongue placed forward. Target only substitutions that are not part of the student's dialect. Voiced "th" in short words (the, this) is a separate target (sl-art-047). Move to sentences with sl-art-002 once words hold.
- Limits
- Many young children still say /f/ for "th" at 6 or 7, so a goal may not be needed. A dialect-based pattern must never be written as a disorder; if the student is learning a school variety of English by choice, that is instruction, not a speech goal.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID sl-art-046.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, given 20 picture or word cards with voiceless "th" at the start, middle, or end of the word (such as thumb, bathtub, tooth), the student will produce voiceless "th" with the tongue tip lightly between the teeth in each word independently with at least 80% accuracy on voiceless "th" productions, across 3 consecutive therapy sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected during each therapy session.
Baseline: 30% accuracy.
- 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. Percent accuracy 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 percent accuracy 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 Articulation.
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 - Articulation
- Baseline
- 30% accuracy.
- Annual goal451 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, given 20 picture or word cards with voiceless "th" at the start, middle, or end of the word (such as thumb, bathtub, tooth), the student will produce voiceless "th" with the tongue tip lightly between the teeth in each word independently with at least 80% accuracy on voiceless "th" productions, across 3 consecutive therapy sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected during each therapy session.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- Given 20 picture or word cards with voiceless "th" at the start, middle, or end of the word (such as thumb, bathtub, tooth)
- Behavior
- The student will produce voiceless "th" with the tongue tip lightly between the teeth in each word independently
- Criteria
- With at least 80% accuracy on voiceless "th" productions, across 3 consecutive therapy sessions
- Evaluation method
- Opportunity-by-opportunity data
- Schedule
- During each therapy session
Copied as plain text, with straight quotes and plain dashes.
Matching data sheet
Accuracy tracker. Records number correct and number attempted.
Accuracy tracker
Percent accuracy- Student label:
- Target:
- with at least 80% accuracy on voiceless "th" productions
- Mastery rule:
- across 3 consecutive therapy sessions
- Collection schedule:
- during each therapy session
- Method:
- Opportunity (trial) recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, given 20 picture or word cards with voiceless "th" at the start, middle, or end of the word (such as thumb, bathtub, tooth), the student will produce voiceless "th" with the tongue tip lightly between the teeth in each word independently with at least 80% accuracy on voiceless "th" productions, across 3 consecutive therapy sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected during each therapy session.
| Date | Task / materials | # correct | # attempted | % accuracycorrect ÷ attempted × 100 | Support levele.g., independent, 1 verbal prompt | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.
- Score only items the student attempted unless the goal defines a fixed set of items. Use the same denominator every session.
- Percent = numerator ÷ denominator × 100. Round to one decimal place.
- Record the support actually provided, even if the goal is independent performance.
The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets, with formulas. Sheets print blank; no student data is stored.