High School Executive Function IEP goals
317 executive function templates list high school (grades 9 to 12) among their grade bands, across 12 skills: planning, task initiation, organization, self-monitoring, sustained attention & task engagement, study & test-taking skills, assignment completion, working memory strategies, time management, cognitive flexibility, following multi-step directions, impulse control & inhibition. Each opens in the builder with a matching data sheet.
317 templates · 12 skills · 9–12 · How we write and review goals
Top skills
The 8 most relevant skills, with sample goals. Numbers are illustrative; set targets from the student's own baseline.
Planning Executive Function
Break a long-term assignment into dated steps
Breaking down a long-term assignment
By the annual IEP review date, when given a long-term assignment due in 1 to 3 weeks, the student will create a written plan for the assignment using a project planning template, performing at least 6 of 7 steps independently, on 3 consecutive long-term assignments, as measured by a task-analysis checklist collected for each long-term assignment.
Write a weekly plan that schedules work sessions
Weekly planning
By the annual IEP review date, during a weekly planning session at the start of each week, the student will write a weekly plan that schedules work sessions for upcoming assignments and tests independently, earning a score of at least 9 out of 12 on a 4-row weekly plan rubric scored 0 to 3 per row, on 3 of 4 consecutive weekly plans, as measured by a defined scoring rubric collected weekly.
Task Initiation Executive Function
Begin independent work within a set time after the direction
Starting independent work after a direction
By the annual IEP review date, after the teacher gives the direction to begin an independent written task, the student will begin the assigned task by writing or marking a first response independently within 60 seconds, on 4 of 5 consecutive observed work periods, as measured by latency recording collected two to three times per week.
Start an open-ended task using a first-step plan
Starting open-ended or effortful tasks
By the annual IEP review date, when assigned an open-ended writing task during independent work time, the student will start the task by completing its first step using a self-written first-step plan within 2 minutes, in 4 of 5 consecutive data collection sessions, as measured by latency recording collected weekly.
Organization Executive Function
Organize the binder and take-home folder using a checklist
Binder and take-home folder organization
By the annual IEP review date, during a weekly 10-minute binder check, the student will organize the binder and take-home folder using a binder checklist, performing at least 7 of 8 steps independently, on 3 of 4 consecutive weekly checks, as measured by a task-analysis checklist collected weekly.
Check a materials list before leaving for the next class
Materials self-check before class
By the annual IEP review date, before leaving the locker, cubby, or previous classroom for the next class, the student will check each item on the next class's materials list (for example, notebook, folder, text, charged device, and writing tool) and gather any missing item independently in at least 9 of 10 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks, as measured by direct observation collected daily and summarized every 10 class periods.
Self-Monitoring Executive Function
Check work with a self-check checklist and fix errors
Checking work for errors
By the annual IEP review date, after finishing an independent written assignment and before turning it in, the student will mark each item on a self-check checklist and correct the errors it identifies independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected weekly.
Record and graph personal progress data
Self-graphing progress data
By the annual IEP review date, after each progress-monitoring probe, the student will record and graph personal progress data using a student-friendly graph, performing at least 6 of 7 steps independently, across 4 consecutive data entries, as measured by a task-analysis checklist collected weekly.
Sustained Attention & Task Engagement Executive Function
Remain engaged in independent work for a set number of minutes
Engagement during independent work
By the annual IEP review date, during a 20-minute independent work period at the student's instructional level, the student will remain engaged with the assigned task independently for at least 15 minutes, in 4 of 5 consecutive observed sessions, as measured by duration recording collected three times per week.
Attend to whole-group instruction for a set number of minutes
Attending during whole-group instruction
By the annual IEP review date, during whole-group instruction lasting at least 15 minutes, the student will attend to whole-group instruction by following along in the materials being discussed and responding when directed independently for at least 12 minutes, in 4 of 5 observed lessons, as measured by direct observation collected twice weekly.
Study & Test-Taking Skills Executive Function
Make flashcards from a study guide and quiz with them
Making and using flashcards
By the annual IEP review date, given a study guide or vocabulary list at least 3 days before a test, the student will complete the flashcard routine using a flashcard routine card, performing at least 5 of 6 steps independently, on 3 consecutive study sessions, as measured by a task-analysis checklist collected each study session, at least weekly.
Take notes from a textbook section using the headings
Taking notes from a textbook
By the annual IEP review date, given a textbook section of 2 to 4 pages with headings and bold terms, the student will take notes on the section that meet the notes rubric independently, earning a score of at least 6 out of 8 on a 4-row textbook notes rubric scored 0 to 2 per row, on 3 of 4 consecutive note sets, as measured by a defined scoring rubric collected weekly.
Assignment Completion Executive Function
Complete independent classwork within the work period
Completing independent classwork
By the annual IEP review date, during a 20-minute independent practice period, the student will turn in the independent practice at the end of the work period independently, completing at least 80% of assigned practice items, on 8 of 10 consecutive assignments, as measured by work-sample analysis collected daily and summarized weekly.
Turn in completed homework on the due date
Turning in homework
By the annual IEP review date, when homework is assigned in core classes, the student will turn in completed homework on the due date independently in at least 8 of 10 opportunities, across 3 consecutive two-week periods, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected for each assignment and summarized every two weeks.
Working Memory Strategies Executive Function
Write down multi-part directions or details before beginning
Writing down steps and details
By the annual IEP review date, when given an oral direction or assignment with three or more parts, before beginning the task, the student will write down the steps or key details independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks of data, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected twice weekly.
Use a reference card or anchor chart to recall the next step
Using a reference aid
By the annual IEP review date, during multi-step math procedures with a reference card available, when unsure of the next step, the student will check the reference card or anchor chart for the next step and continue the item independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weekly observations, as measured by direct observation collected weekly.
All 12 skills
Every skill with goals for this group, by area. The number is how many of its goals are tagged here.
High school executive function goals point toward life after school: independence, self-advocacy, and skills used in courses, jobs, and the community. Conditions name realistic materials and settings, and many goals are written so the student collects part of the data.
Matching data sheets
Each goal above links to the blank sheet built for its measure. These are the sheets this set of goals uses:
- Latency trackerTimes the gap between a cue and the start of the response.Used by 24 goals here
- Opportunity trackerRecords each opportunity as independent, prompted, or not demonstrated.Used by 139 goals here
- Task-analysis checklistMarks each step of a routine as independent, with support, or not completed across sessions.Used by 47 goals here
- Rubric trackerScores each rubric criterion and totals the score for each sample.Used by 24 goals here
- Accuracy trackerNumber correct out of number attempted, with percent accuracy and support level.Used by 48 goals here
- Duration trackerTimes how long a behavior lasts and compares it with the target duration.Used by 23 goals here
- Frequency & rate trackerCounts a defined behavior during a fixed observation period. Calculates rate when time is recorded.Used by 12 goals here
Frequently asked questions
How do executive function goals connect to transition planning in high school?
Annual goals should support the student's measurable postsecondary goals for education, employment, and independent living (34 CFR 300.320(b)). A skill goal can be written in the context of a course, a job site, or a daily living routine.
Can a high school student help write their own goals?
Yes, and the student must be invited to IEP meetings where transition is discussed. Student-chosen goals with self-monitoring tend to be measured more consistently.
How are high school goals measured when the student has many teachers?
With work samples, percent of assignments completed, rubrics, or self-monitoring checklists reviewed weekly by the case manager. The goal should say who records the data and where.
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