Write a story that includes dialogue between characters
When to use this goal
For students who write narratives with a clear sequence but no character speech, or who report speech indirectly (he said he was mad) without using dialogue. Present levels should show a basic narrative structure already in place.
- Baseline
- Score two or three recent narratives, each row 0 to 3, and count the dialogue exchanges in each. Note whether the student can say what two characters would say to each other out loud; acting out dialogue before writing often reveals the skill is there but not reaching the page.
- Tips
- Comic strips or speech bubbles make a good bridge from talk to written dialogue. Score the content of the dialogue with this rubric and leave quotation-mark punctuation to a mechanics goal so the two skills show separately. Keep prompts to two or three characters.
- Limits
- Dialogue can be inserted without purpose; the second rubric row guards against this but requires judgment. The rubric does not score the overall narrative, so pair it with the narrative rubric when both matter. Students who dictate may say dialogue naturally; check that it appears in the final text.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID wr-exp-013.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, given a narrative prompt with two characters and a 30-minute writing period, the student will write a story that includes at least three exchanges of dialogue that move the story forward independently, earning a score of at least 7 out of 9 on a 9-point narrative dialogue rubric, on 3 of 4 consecutive scored stories, as measured by a defined scoring rubric collected every two weeks.
Baseline: 3 out of 9 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 Written Expression.
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
- Writing - Written Expression
- Baseline
- 3 out of 9 rubric points.
- Annual goal416 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, given a narrative prompt with two characters and a 30-minute writing period, the student will write a story that includes at least three exchanges of dialogue that move the story forward independently, earning a score of at least 7 out of 9 on a 9-point narrative dialogue rubric, on 3 of 4 consecutive scored stories, as measured by a defined scoring rubric collected every two weeks.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- Given a narrative prompt with two characters and a 30-minute writing period
- Behavior
- The student will write a story that includes at least three exchanges of dialogue that move the story forward independently
- Criteria
- Earning a score of at least 7 out of 9 on a 9-point narrative dialogue rubric, on 3 of 4 consecutive scored stories
- Evaluation method
- A defined scoring rubric
- Schedule
- Every two weeks
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 7 out of 9 on a 9-point narrative dialogue rubric
- Mastery rule:
- on 3 of 4 consecutive scored stories
- Collection schedule:
- every two weeks
- Method:
- Rubric scoring
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, given a narrative prompt with two characters and a 30-minute writing period, the student will write a story that includes at least three exchanges of dialogue that move the story forward independently, earning a score of at least 7 out of 9 on a 9-point narrative dialogue rubric, on 3 of 4 consecutive scored stories, as measured by a defined scoring rubric collected every two weeks.
| Date | Task / sample | Includes at least three exchanges of dialogue | Dialogue shows what characters want or feel, or moves the plot | Speaker is clear in each exchange through tags or context | Total (of 9) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.
- Score each sample with a 9-point narrative dialogue rubric. 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.