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Make a written list for a real task

K-2, 3-5OpportunitiesTemplateReview and individualize before use. How templates are made
When to use this goal

For young students, or students with significant support needs in the early grades, who are ready to write for a practical purpose. Present levels should show the student writes some letters or words; the goal uses lists because each item is short and the purpose is obvious.

Baseline
Set up five real list-making moments and record each list exactly. Count a list as meeting the goal when it has at least three items an adult can read (invented spelling is fine). Note whether items are copied or written from sound.
Tips
Use the list for its purpose: shop for the snack, gather the garden tools. Real use teaches why writing matters. Families can add home list moments (a packing list, a list of friends to invite) and send them in.
Limits
Copying from cards and writing from sound are different skills; record which happened. List writing is short and does not show sentence skills. Opportunities depend on class activities; plan them ahead.

Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID wr-exp-061.

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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, when planning a class activity (such as a snack, a garden job, or a craft), given a list form with numbered lines, the student will write a list of at least three items needed for the task, one item per line, that an adult can read independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks of data, 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 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.

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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
1 of 5 opportunities.
Annual goal411 characters
By the annual IEP review date, when planning a class activity (such as a snack, a garden job, or a craft), given a list form with numbered lines, the student will write a list of at least three items needed for the task, one item per line, that an adult can read independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks of data, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected weekly.
Timeframe
By the annual IEP review date
Condition
When planning a class activity (such as a snack, a garden job, or a craft), given a list form with numbered lines
Behavior
The student will write a list of at least three items needed for the task, one item per line, that an adult can read independently
Criteria
In at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks of data
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.