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Spell words with suffixes and spelling-change rules

Unreviewed draft3-5, 6-8Percent accuracy
Student reference

Use a generic label rather than a student's name. Review goals within your school's approved IEP system.

Current baseline

Sample numbers are illustrative. Set the baseline and target from the student's own assessment data and team judgment.

Condition

Setting, materials, or situation, such as a passage level or a work period.

Observable behavior

Something an adult can see, count, or time. Avoid “understand,” “improve,” or “know.”

Level of support

Say exactly what support counts, such as “with one verbal prompt.” Leave “independently” if none.

Criterion

Percent of attempted items answered correctly.

Measurement method

Brief, standardized probes given at regular intervals and scored the same way each time.

Mastery rule
Timeframe and monitoring

You can type a date, such as “By May 15, 2027”.

Match the schedule to the skill. Fluency often uses weekly probes. Writing rubrics may be scored every few weeks.

Live goal preview

By the annual IEP review date, given 15 dictated unpracticed words that require adding -ed, -ing, -er, or -est to a base word, the student will spell each word by applying the drop-e, double-the-consonant, and change-y-to-i rules where needed independently with at least 80% accuracy on suffixed words, in 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by curriculum-based measurement probes collected weekly.

Baseline: 40% accuracy.

  • Condition
  • Observable behavior
  • Criterion
  • Measurement method
Add objectivesMatching data sheet

Measurability check10 of 10 met

All structural checks are met.

  • Met: Observable behavior. The behavior is stated as an action.

  • Met: Condition. The goal states when or under what conditions the behavior occurs.

  • Met: Unit fits the behavior. Percent accuracy is a reasonable way to quantify this behavior.

  • Met: Explicit criterion. The success criterion is stated with a number and unit.

  • Met: Mastery rule and schedule. Mastery rule and collection schedule are stated.

  • Met: Method produces the metric. Curriculum-based measurement can produce percent accuracy data.

  • Met: Review timeframe. The goal includes a timeframe.

  • Met: Baseline and target compatible. Baseline and target use the same unit and show change in the intended direction.

  • Met: Aligned with area of need. The wording still relates to Spelling.

  • Met: Level of support. The level of support is defined.

What this checks: the goal's structure and wording, using fixed rules: observable behavior, condition, criterion, method, mastery rule, timeframe, baseline/target consistency, and support. It can't judge whether the goal is appropriate, ambitious enough, or legally sufficient for a particular student. That requires assessment data and the IEP team.

About this template
Level guidance
Fits students who spell base words correctly but make errors when adding endings (such as hopping, making, or cried). A spelling inventory and present levels, not grade, should confirm that base-word patterns are secure first.
Baseline considerations
Give two or three unpracticed lists with words that require no change, the drop-e rule, consonant doubling, and change-y-to-i, in similar proportions. Record which rule each error involves, and whether the base word itself was misspelled.
Usage notes
Score the whole word, and optionally track rule application separately on the data sheet. Include words where no rule applies so the student does not over-apply rules. Extend to prefixes and other suffixes once these rules are secure.
Known limitations
Rule application depends on recognizing short vowels and syllable stress in longer words, which may need separate instruction. Dictated lists do not show whether the rules are used during independent writing.
Source
Original IEP Atlas draft (AI-assisted) based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. Template ID wr-spl-004.

Short-term objectives (optional)

When are objectives required?

Federal IDEA regulations require benchmarks or short-term objectives only for students who take alternate assessments aligned to alternate academic achievement standards (34 CFR §300.320(a)(2)(ii)). Your state or district may require them more broadly.

Build objectives by

Matching data sheet

Accuracy tracker. Your goal is scored as percent correct, so the sheet records number correct and number attempted.

Accuracy tracker

Percent accuracy
Student label:
 
Target:
with at least 80% accuracy on suffixed words
Mastery rule:
in 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes
Collection schedule:
weekly
Method:
Curriculum-based measurement
Data collector:
 

Goal: By the annual IEP review date, given 15 dictated unpracticed words that require adding -ed, -ing, -er, or -est to a base word, the student will spell each word by applying the drop-e, double-the-consonant, and change-y-to-i rules where needed independently with at least 80% accuracy on suffixed words, in 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by curriculum-based measurement probes collected weekly.

Accuracy tracker
DateTask / materials# correct# attempted% accuracycorrect ÷ attempted × 100Support levele.g., independent, 1 verbal promptNotes

Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.

  • Score only items the student attempted unless the goal defines a fixed set of items. Use the same denominator every session.
  • Percent = numerator ÷ denominator × 100. Round to one decimal place.
  • Record the support actually provided, even if the goal is independent performance.

The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets with formulas for the calculated columns. Sheets are blank: IEP Atlas doesn't store student data.

Preview
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