Science, Social Studies & Digital Literacy IEP goals for ADHD
38 science, social studies & digital literacy templates across 3 skills: digital literacy & online safety, science skills, social studies skills. Each opens in the builder with a matching data sheet.
38 templates · 3 skills · K–2, 3–5, 6–8, 9–12 · How we write and review goals
Goals by skill
Numbers are illustrative; set targets from the student's own baseline.
Digital Literacy & Online Safety Science, Social Studies & Digital Literacy
Turn a research question into search keywords
Searching for information
By the annual IEP review date, given 8 research questions from a class project and a keyword planning sheet, the student will write 2 to 4 search keywords that name the main topic and the specific detail for each question independently with at least 75% accuracy on keyword sets, in 3 of 4 consecutive biweekly probes, as measured by work-sample analysis collected every two weeks.
Save and name files in subject folders
File management
By the annual IEP review date, after finishing a document in class, with a cloud drive that has a folder for each subject, the student will save the document with a clear name in the correct subject folder and find it again, performing all 6 steps independently, across 3 consecutive weeks of data, as measured by a task-analysis checklist collected twice weekly.
Science Skills Science, Social Studies & Digital Literacy
Follow a picture procedure for a simple investigation
Following a lab procedure
By the annual IEP review date, during a hands-on science investigation with a picture procedure card and a materials tray, the student will complete the investigation by following the picture procedure card from start to clean-up, performing at least 6 of 7 steps independently, across 3 consecutive science investigations, as measured by a task-analysis checklist collected at each hands-on investigation.
Follow lab safety steps from start to finish
Lab safety steps
By the annual IEP review date, during each hands-on science lab with a lab safety checklist posted at the station, the student will complete each lab safety step on the checklist at the right point in the lab, performing all 9 steps independently, across 3 consecutive labs, as measured by a task-analysis checklist collected at each lab.
Social Studies Skills Science, Social Studies & Digital Literacy
Place dated events on a timeline
Timelines
By the annual IEP review date, given a timeline marked by decades and 8 event cards with years from the current unit, the student will place each event card at the correct spot on the timeline and name which event came first and last independently with at least 88% accuracy on timeline placements, in 3 of 4 consecutive biweekly probes, as measured by work-sample analysis collected every two weeks.
Match government branches to their jobs
Civics: branches of government
By the annual IEP review date, given 9 scenario cards about government actions (such as passing a law, a court ruling, signing a bill) and a three-branch mat, the student will sort each card to the branch of government that does that job independently with at least 78% accuracy on branch of government cards, in 3 of 4 consecutive biweekly probes, as measured by work-sample analysis collected every two weeks.
Access to science and social studies content, lab and map skills, and safe, effective use of digital tools. Students with ADHD are most often served under Other Health Impairment, and the goals that follow are the executive function, attention, and self-management goals that teams write most. Each one uses a unit that fits the behavior: seconds for starting work, minutes for staying engaged, and percent for work turned in.
Matching data sheets
Each goal above links to the blank sheet built for its measure. These are the sheets this set of goals uses:
- Task-analysis checklistMarks each step of a routine as independent, with support, or not completed across sessions.Used by 10 goals here
- Accuracy trackerNumber correct out of number attempted, with percent accuracy and support level.Used by 18 goals here
- Rubric trackerScores each rubric criterion and totals the score for each sample.Used by 6 goals here
- Opportunity trackerRecords each opportunity as independent, prompted, or not demonstrated.Used by 4 goals here
Frequently asked questions
Does a student with ADHD automatically get an IEP?
No. ADHD is not its own IDEA category. A student may qualify under Other Health Impairment when the condition affects educational performance and the student needs specially designed instruction. Some students are served with a Section 504 plan instead. The evaluation team decides.
What makes an attention goal measurable?
A clear definition of the behavior (eyes on task, materials in hand, responding when asked), a defined observation period, and a numeric criterion such as minutes engaged or intervals on task. 'Will pay attention' is not measurable; 'will remain engaged for 15 of 20 minutes of independent work' is.
Should students with ADHD have science or social studies goals?
Only when they need specially designed instruction to do a content-area skill, such as following a lab procedure or reading a map. Many students need only accommodations, which go in the accommodations section instead of a goal.
How are content-area goals measured?
With accuracy on a fixed task type, rubrics for written or spoken explanations, and task-analysis steps for procedures. Keep the task type the same across units so progress shows.
IEP Atlas Pro
Turn these goals into progress reports
Pro tracks every goal on your caseload and drafts the report for you. Free for 14 days.
Count trials, prompts, and minutes live in the session; the graph and trend line draw themselves; progress reports are drafted from your data.