IEP goals for compare and contrast: 24 examples

By the IEP Atlas editorial teamLast updated November 1, 2026

Short answer

A compare and contrast IEP goal names the two things compared, how many likenesses and differences the student must give and the evidence required. Example: after reading two unpracticed grade 3 texts on one topic, Lina will fill a Venn diagram with 2 likenesses and 2 differences from the texts, with 4 of 4 accurate on 3 probes.

Comparing means telling how two things are alike. Contrasting means telling how they differ. Students use it to understand characters, read science and history, and later to weigh arguments. A goal needs to say what is compared, how many likenesses and differences count, and whether the student must point to the text.

The 24 goals below go from same and different with objects to comparing two arguments. Each shows a condition, a baseline, a criterion with a denominator and a template link. Numbers are illustrations. For comprehension goals in every area, see IEP goals for reading comprehension. The pillar on reading comprehension strategies covers how to teach text structure.

How to choose a compare and contrast goal

Ask the student to tell how two things are alike and different: first two objects, then two characters from a story, then two short passages. Note where the answers stop.

What the student does	Sub-skill to target	Measurement method
Says "they're the same" or names only color	Same and different with objects and attributes	Correct answers, out of 8 to 10
Lists only differences, or only likenesses	Both likenesses and differences	Likenesses and differences, out of 4
Compares characters with no evidence	Characters and stories with text support	Rubric with evidence
Misses comparisons signaled by "however" or "both"	Informational structure and signal words	Items correct, out of 5 or 6
Treats two texts on one topic as one	Two texts on one topic	Organizer entries with source, out of 6
Can compare facts but not viewpoints	Arguments, versions, author's treatment	Rubric with quotes

The What Works Clearinghouse guide for kindergarten through grade 3 recommends teaching text structures, including compare and contrast, and using organizers to show them.^[1]

Same and different with objects and pictures (preschool to grade 1)

Given pairs of real objects or pictures, Leo will say whether they are the same or different, with 9 of 10 correct on 3 consecutive sessions. Baseline: 5 of 10. Template.
Given an object, Leo will answer 5 questions about its attributes (color, size, shape, use, parts), with 4 of 5 correct across 3 sessions. Baseline: 2 of 5. Template.
Given two pictured animals, Ivy will name one way they are alike and one way they are different, with both correct for 4 of 5 pairs on 3 sessions. Baseline: 1 of 5. Template.
After two short picture books on one topic are read aloud, Ivy will tell one thing both books said, with a correct answer in 4 of 5 pairs. Baseline: 1 of 5. Template.

Weak: "Leo will compare objects." Measurable: Goal 3 above. It asks for one likeness and one difference and names the count.

Characters and stories (grades 2 to 5)

After reading an unpracticed grade 3 story, Nate will give 2 likenesses and 2 differences between two characters, with 4 of 4 accurate in 4 of 5 stories. Baseline: 1 of 4. Template.
After reading a story told from two viewpoints, Nate will explain how each character sees the same event, scoring 3 of 4 rubric points on 3 probes. Baseline: 1 of 4. Template.
After reading two versions of a folktale, Ana will fill a chart comparing characters, setting, problem and ending, with 7 of 8 cells correct on 3 probes. Baseline: 3 of 8. Template.
After reading a story, Ana will compare how the main character acts at the beginning and the end, with one quote for each, scoring 3 of 4 rubric points on 3 probes. Baseline: 1 of 4. Template.

Weak: "Nate will compare and contrast characters with 80% accuracy." Measurable: Goal 1 above. It sets 2 of each and counts them out of 4.

Informational text and signal words (grades 3 to 6)

Given an unpracticed grade 4 passage comparing two things, Lina will fill a compare and contrast chart with 3 likenesses and 3 differences, with 5 of 6 correct on 3 probes. Baseline: 2 of 6. Template.
Given 10 sentences, Lina will circle the compare or contrast signal word (both, also, however, unlike, whereas) and tell whether it shows a likeness or a difference, with 9 of 10 correct on 3 probes. Baseline: 4 of 10. Template.
Given a short passage, Tomas will name its structure and organize it on a matching organizer, with structure and organizer correct in 4 of 5 passages. Baseline: 1 of 5. Template.
Given a chart or table comparing two things (two planets, two products), Tomas will answer 5 compare and contrast questions, with 4 of 5 correct on 3 probes. Baseline: 2 of 5. Template.

Weak: "Lina will understand compare and contrast text." Measurable: Goal 1 above. It names the passage, the chart and the count.

Two texts on one topic (grades 3 to 8)

After reading two unpracticed grade 3 texts on one topic, Lina will fill a Venn diagram with 2 likenesses and 2 differences from the texts, with 4 of 4 accurate on 3 probes. Baseline: 1 of 4. Template.
After reading two short texts on one topic, Ezra will combine facts from both in a 3- to 4-sentence answer to a question, with facts from both texts in 4 of 5 answers. Baseline: uses one text in 4 of 5. Template.
Given a firsthand and a secondhand account of the same event, Ezra will tell 2 ways they differ in focus or information, scoring 3 of 4 rubric points on 3 probes. Baseline: 1 of 4. Template.
Given two sources on a research question, Mae will combine them into a short answer that names what each source adds, scoring 4 of 5 rubric points on 3 of 4 assignments. Baseline: 2 of 5. Template.

Weak: "Ezra will use more than one source." Measurable: Goal 2 above. It requires facts from both texts in each answer.

Arguments, versions and author's treatment (grades 7 to 12)

Given two short arguments on the same issue, Mae will compare their claims and strongest evidence, scoring 6 of 8 rubric points on 3 probes. Baseline: 3 of 8. Template.
After reading a novel and watching its film version, Jules will explain 2 differences and how each changes the story's effect, scoring 3 of 4 rubric points on 2 of 3 assignments. Baseline: 1 of 4. Template.
After reading two stories with a shared theme, Jules will compare how each author develops it with one quote from each, scoring 3 of 4 rubric points on 3 probes. Baseline: 1 of 4. Template.
After reading two editorials on the same topic, Kai will explain how each author's perspective shapes what is included, scoring 3 of 4 rubric points on 3 of 4 probes. Baseline: 1 of 4. Template.

Weak: "Mae will analyze arguments." Measurable: Goal 1 above. It names the texts, the parts compared and the rubric.

Spoken comparisons (speech-language)

After hearing two short talks on one topic, Ruth will tell one point both speakers made and one where they differ, with both correct in 4 of 5 pairs across 3 sessions. Baseline: 1 of 5. Template.
Given two named objects or ideas, Ruth will describe 2 likenesses and 2 differences using category, function or parts, with 4 of 4 correct on 3 sessions. Baseline: 1 of 4. Template.
Given a word analogy (cat is to kitten as dog is to...), Ben will complete it and state the relationship, with 8 of 10 correct across 3 sessions. Baseline: 4 of 10. Template.
When comparing two characters aloud, Ben will use compare and contrast words (both, but, also, unlike) in 3 of 4 sentences across 3 sessions. Baseline: 0 of 4. Template.

Weak: "Ruth will describe things." Measurable: Goal 2 above. It sets the number of likenesses and differences and what to compare by.

How to measure compare and contrast goals

Count likenesses and differences separately. A student who gives 4 differences and no likenesses has not met a 2-and-2 goal. Record both numbers.
Require accuracy and a source. For text goals, each entry must be true of the text and, at higher levels, tied to a line or paragraph.
Fix the organizer. Use the same Venn or chart format for every probe so format changes do not move the score.
Use one sheet. The accuracy data sheet for counts; the rubric scoring data sheet for rubric goals.

Probe every 2 weeks and graph the scores; repeated measures over time show the trend.^[2] For general probe design, see how to measure reading comprehension for an IEP.

Short-term objectives for compare and contrast goals

Step up the number of entries or the evidence. For the Venn goal: by the first report, 1 likeness and 1 difference; by the second, 2 of each with a partly filled diagram; by the third, 2 of each on a blank diagram. The IEP must state how progress on each annual goal is measured and reported.^[3] The short-term objectives guide has the format.

Adapting by grade and support level

Grade band or need	Typical focus	Example change
Preschool to K	Same and different, attributes	Real objects, pictures
Grades 1 to 3	Two characters, two books on one topic	Venn diagram with picture support
Grades 4 to 5	Informational structure, signal words	Science passages, charts
Middle school	Two texts, firsthand vs secondhand	Social studies sources
High school	Arguments, versions, author's treatment	Rubric with quotes
Access needs	Same or different choices	Pointing, AAC, real objects

The comprehension goals page and the literary analysis goals page list full templates. For the structure that often appears alongside this one, see IEP goals for cause and effect. Run a draft through the goal checker.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good compare and contrast IEP goal?

One that names the two things compared, the number of likenesses and differences and the evidence needed. For example: after reading two unpracticed grade 3 texts on one topic, the student will fill a Venn diagram with 2 likenesses and 2 differences, with 4 of 4 accurate on 3 probes.

What are compare and contrast signal words?

Words that show a likeness include both, also, similarly, like and in the same way. Words that show a difference include but, however, unlike, whereas, on the other hand and instead.

Should I use a Venn diagram or a chart?

Either works. A Venn diagram is easy for two things with a few points each. A chart with rows for each feature works better for longer texts and for comparing more than two features. Use the same one on every probe.

Use it in IEP Atlas

Sources

Improving Reading Comprehension in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade, What Works Clearinghouse, Institute of Education Sciences
Progress Monitoring: Data & Goal Setting, National Center on Intensive Intervention
34 CFR §300.320: Definition of individualized education program, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School

Written and checked by the IEP Atlas editorial team under our editorial policy. This guide describes general practice and federal rules. It is not legal advice; your state may add requirements, and the IEP team makes the decisions for each student.