Explore a small business idea
When to use this goal
For students 16 to 21 with a skill or interest that could become a small business, such as dog walking, baking or a vending cart, often as part of a customized employment plan. Present levels in planning and money skills decide how detailed the plan is.
- Baseline
- Score the first plan with only the sheet. Pricing is usually the weakest row; teach it with the student's own supply costs.
- Tips
- Running a small business at school, such as a coffee cart, gives the plan real data. Vocational rehabilitation can support self-employment for eligible adults; the transition coordinator can explain options to the family.
- Limits
- A plan is not a running business. Business rules and benefits effects differ by state; this goal gives no legal or financial advice.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID tn-ce-024.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, given a small business planning sheet and a business idea the student chose, the student will complete a small business plan that names the product or service, customers, supplies, costs and help needed independently, earning a score of at least 8 out of 10 on a 5-row small business plan rubric (0 to 2 per row), on 2 consecutive plan revisions, as measured by a defined scoring rubric collected monthly.
Baseline: 2 out of 10 rubric points.
- 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. Rubric score fits this behavior.
Met: Explicit criterion. Number and unit stated.
Met: Mastery rule and schedule. Both stated.
Met: Method produces the metric. Rubric scoring gives rubric score 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 Career Exploration.
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
- Transition & Postsecondary Skills - Career Exploration
- Baseline
- 2 out of 10 rubric points.
- Annual goal436 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, given a small business planning sheet and a business idea the student chose, the student will complete a small business plan that names the product or service, customers, supplies, costs and help needed independently, earning a score of at least 8 out of 10 on a 5-row small business plan rubric (0 to 2 per row), on 2 consecutive plan revisions, as measured by a defined scoring rubric collected monthly.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- Given a small business planning sheet and a business idea the student chose
- Behavior
- The student will complete a small business plan that names the product or service, customers, supplies, costs and help needed independently
- Criteria
- Earning a score of at least 8 out of 10 on a 5-row small business plan rubric (0 to 2 per row), on 2 consecutive plan revisions
- Evaluation method
- A defined scoring rubric
- Schedule
- Monthly
Copied as plain text, with straight quotes and plain dashes.
Matching data sheet
Rubric tracker. Scores each rubric criterion and totals them.
Rubric tracker
Rubric score- Student label:
- Target:
- earning a score of at least 8 out of 10 on a 5-row small business plan rubric (0 to 2 per row)
- Mastery rule:
- on 2 consecutive plan revisions
- Collection schedule:
- monthly
- Method:
- Rubric scoring
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, given a small business planning sheet and a business idea the student chose, the student will complete a small business plan that names the product or service, customers, supplies, costs and help needed independently, earning a score of at least 8 out of 10 on a 5-row small business plan rubric (0 to 2 per row), on 2 consecutive plan revisions, as measured by a defined scoring rubric collected monthly.
| Date | Task / sample | Names the product or service | Names who the customers are and how they will find the business | Lists the supplies needed and what they cost | Sets a price and shows whether it covers the costs | Names the help or supports the business would need | Total (of 10) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.
- Score each sample with a 5-row small business plan rubric (0 to 2 per row). Attach or reference the rubric's score descriptors.
- Use the same prompt type and conditions for each scored sample.
- If two people score, check agreement on a few samples before relying on the data.
The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets, with formulas. Sheets print blank; no student data is stored.