Answer open-ended questions with two or more related sentences
When to use this goal
For students who give the shortest possible answer to open questions ("What did you think of the story?" "Good.") and need to elaborate for class discussion and interviews. Base the choice on classroom observation.
- Baseline
- Ask five open-ended questions on topics the student knows and count the sentences in each answer and whether added sentences relate to the first. Try "Tell me more" to see whether the student can elaborate when asked; if so, the goal is about doing it without the prompt.
- Tips
- Each open-ended question is one opportunity. Score correct when the answer has at least two sentences and the second relates to the first (a reason, example, or detail); two unrelated sentences do not count. Yes/no questions are not opportunities. Accept any mode. Choose topics the student has something to say about.
- Limits
- Elaboration depends on interest and knowledge of the topic. Some students elaborate at length on preferred topics and not at all on others; record the topic. The count of sentences does not show quality of ideas.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID sl-exp-019.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, given 5 open-ended questions about a story, topic, or experience, the student will answer with at least two related sentences that give a response and a detail, reason, or example 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.
Baseline: 1 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 Expressive Language.
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 - Expressive Language
- Baseline
- 1 of 5 opportunities.
- Annual goal383 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, given 5 open-ended questions about a story, topic, or experience, the student will answer with at least two related sentences that give a response and a detail, reason, or example 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.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- Given 5 open-ended questions about a story, topic, or experience
- Behavior
- The student will answer with at least two related sentences that give a response and a detail, reason, or example 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
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
- Method:
- Opportunity (trial) recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, given 5 open-ended questions about a story, topic, or experience, the student will answer with at least two related sentences that give a response and a detail, reason, or example 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.
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.