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Use commas after yes, no, and names

3-5Percent accuracyTemplateReview and individualize before use. How templates are made
When to use this goal

For students who leave out commas after yes, no, well, and names of people being spoken to (Yes I can come. Sam come here.), which changes meaning in dialogue and messages. Present levels should show reliable end punctuation.

Baseline
Give two probes of 12 items and score the comma. Include a few names used as the subject (Sam came here.) so the student must tell the difference. Record over-use of commas too.
Tips
Show how commas change meaning (Let's eat, Grandma). Use dialogue from the student's stories. This leads into commas after introductory words and phrases.
Limits
Names at the end of sentences (Come here, Sam.) need a comma before; include them later. Probes do not show transfer. Over-use can increase while learning; that is normal.

Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID wr-mec-031.

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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

Percent of attempted items answered correctly.

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

Criterion wording

Data collection

Scoring completed student work (permanent products) against a defined answer key or checklist.

How often data are collected
Mastery rule

How many measurements must meet the criterion.

Timeframe

Timeframe

Goal

By the annual IEP review date, given 12 sentences that start with yes, no, well, or the name of the person spoken to, the student will place a comma after yes, no, well, or a name used to speak to someone independently with at least 85% accuracy on sentences, in 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by work-sample analysis collected weekly.

Baseline: 25% accuracy.

  • 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. Percent accuracy fits this behavior.

  • Met: Explicit criterion. Number and unit stated.

  • Met: Mastery rule and schedule. Both stated.

  • Met: Method produces the metric. Work-sample analysis gives percent accuracy 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 Capitalization, Punctuation & Grammar.

  • 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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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 - Capitalization, Punctuation & Grammar
Baseline
25% accuracy.
Annual goal350 characters
By the annual IEP review date, given 12 sentences that start with yes, no, well, or the name of the person spoken to, the student will place a comma after yes, no, well, or a name used to speak to someone independently with at least 85% accuracy on sentences, in 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by work-sample analysis collected weekly.
Timeframe
By the annual IEP review date
Condition
Given 12 sentences that start with yes, no, well, or the name of the person spoken to
Behavior
The student will place a comma after yes, no, well, or a name used to speak to someone independently
Criteria
With at least 85% accuracy on sentences, in 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes
Evaluation method
Work-sample analysis
Schedule
Weekly

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

Matching data sheet

Accuracy tracker. Records number correct and number attempted.

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