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Explain how a choice affects a long-term goal

6-8, 9-12OpportunitiesTemplateReview and individualize before use. How templates are made
When to use this goal

For students who have a long-term goal but make daily choices with no thought of it. Present levels in reasoning and language, not grade, decide whether scenarios are read aloud, pictured or written.

Baseline
Give 5 scenarios built from the student's own goal. Score the explanation, not the choice; choosing the quick reward with a clear explanation still counts.
Tips
Never score the student down for choosing the fun option; adults do that too. The point is making the trade-off on purpose. Use the student's real goals from tn-sd-001 or tn-sd-002.
Limits
Explaining a trade-off in a scenario does not guarantee the student weighs it in the moment. Scenarios need updating as the student's goals change.

Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID tn-sd-046.

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Student

How the goal refers to the student

Skill

What the student will do

Something an adult can see, count or time.

Condition

When or under what conditions

Support

Support allowed

Criterion

Number of opportunities in which the behavior is demonstrated, out of a fixed number.

Sample numbers. Replace them with the student's data.

Criterion wording

Data collection

Each planned or naturally occurring opportunity is recorded as correct/independent, prompted, or not demonstrated.

How often data are collected
Mastery rule

How many measurements must meet the criterion.

Timeframe

Timeframe

Goal

By the annual IEP review date, given short scenarios that set a quick reward against a long-term goal, such as spending gift money now or saving it for a goal, the student will choose an option and explain how it helps or delays own long-term goal independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive data collection sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected weekly.

Baseline: 1 of 5 opportunities.

  • Condition
  • Observable behavior
  • Criterion
  • Measurement method

ObjectivesCopy by fieldData sheet

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 Self-Determination.

  • 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.

Build objectives by

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 - Self-Determination
Baseline
1 of 5 opportunities.
Annual goal407 characters
By the annual IEP review date, given short scenarios that set a quick reward against a long-term goal, such as spending gift money now or saving it for a goal, the student will choose an option and explain how it helps or delays own long-term goal independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive data collection sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected weekly.
Timeframe
By the annual IEP review date
Condition
Given short scenarios that set a quick reward against a long-term goal, such as spending gift money now or saving it for a goal
Behavior
The student will choose an option and explain how it helps or delays own long-term goal independently
Criteria
In at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive data collection sessions
Evaluation method
Opportunity-by-opportunity data
Schedule
Weekly

Copied as plain text, with straight quotes and plain dashes.

Matching data sheet

Opportunity tracker. One box per opportunity in each session.

The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets, with formulas. Sheets print blank; no student data is stored.