Middle School IEP goals
2,444 templates list middle school (grades 6 to 8) among their grade bands, across 94 skills in 12 areas, led by executive function, social-emotional & communication, and functional & independence skills. The band is a starting point; the baseline and target come from the student's own data.
2,444 templates · 94 skills · Pre-K, K–2, 3–5, 6–8, 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.
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.
School-Related Independence Functional & Independence Skills
Enter assignments as digital calendar reminders
Recording assignments as digital reminders
By the annual IEP review date, when an assignment or due date is posted or announced during a class period, the student will enter the assignment as a digital calendar event or reminder with the due date and an alert time independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, for 3 consecutive weeks, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected weekly by comparing the device reminders with posted assignments.
Open a combination locker and complete a locker stop
Using a combination locker
By the annual IEP review date, at the assigned hallway locker between classes, the student will open the combination lock and complete a locker stop from memory, performing at least 7 of 8 steps independently, on 4 of 5 consecutive observed school days, as measured by a task-analysis checklist collected twice weekly.
Social Studies Skills Science, Social Studies & Digital Literacy
Answer questions with a map key
Maps and globes
By the annual IEP review date, given a community or state map with a key of 6 to 8 symbols and 10 questions, the student will answer each question by finding the symbol in the key and locating it on the map independently with at least 80% accuracy on map key questions, in 3 of 4 consecutive biweekly probes, as measured by curriculum-based measurement probes collected every two weeks.
Measure map distance with a scale bar
Maps and globes
By the annual IEP review date, given a map with a scale bar, a ruler or paper strip and 8 distance questions between labeled places, the student will measure the distance between the places on the map and use the scale bar to write the real distance with its unit independently with at least 75% accuracy on map distance questions, on 3 of 4 consecutive biweekly probes, as measured by work-sample analysis collected every two weeks.
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.
Paragraph Organization Writing
Write an organized paragraph with a topic sentence, details, and a conclusion
Topic sentence, supporting details, and conclusion
By the annual IEP review date, given a familiar topic and a 25-minute writing period, the student will write a paragraph with a topic sentence, at least three supporting details, and a concluding sentence independently, earning a score of at least 10 out of 12 on a 12-point paragraph organization rubric, on 3 of 4 consecutive scored paragraphs, as measured by a defined scoring rubric collected every two weeks.
Use transition words to connect sentences in a paragraph
Transitions between sentences
By the annual IEP review date, when writing a sequence or how-to paragraph, the student will use at least three different transition words or phrases that correctly signal order or connect ideas between sentences independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks of writing samples, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected weekly.
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.
Assistive Technology Use Vision, Hearing & Assistive Technology
Use text-to-speech to read grade-level text
Text-to-speech for grade-level text
By the annual IEP review date, given a grade-level science or social studies passage in a digital format with text-to-speech and 5 comprehension questions, the student will use text-to-speech to read the passage, rereading parts as needed, and answer the questions independently with at least 80% accuracy on comprehension questions, in 3 of 4 consecutive biweekly probes, as measured by work-sample analysis collected every two weeks.
Set text-to-speech speed, voice, and highlighting
Text-to-speech setup
By the annual IEP review date, at the start of a reading assignment on the school device with the text-to-speech toolbar, the student will open the text-to-speech settings and set the voice, speed, and highlighting they prefer, then test on a line of text, performing all 6 steps independently, on 3 consecutive setups, as measured by a task-analysis checklist collected weekly.
Tell time to the nearest five minutes and minute
Telling time to five minutes and one minute
By the annual IEP review date, given 10 analog clock faces showing times to the nearest five minutes, the student will write the time shown on each clock in digital form independently with at least 90% accuracy on clock readings, on 3 of 4 consecutive probes, as measured by work-sample analysis collected weekly.
Read a digital clock and match it to an analog clock
Digital clocks and matching times
By the annual IEP review date, given 10 digital times shown on a clock or a phone screen, the student will read each digital time aloud as hours and minutes independently with at least 95% accuracy on digital times, across 3 consecutive data collection sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected twice weekly.
All 94 skills
Every skill with goals for this group, by area. The number is how many of its goals are tagged here.
Executive Function
Social-Emotional & Communication
Functional & Independence Skills
Math
Speech & Language
- Listening Comprehension & Auditory Processing26
- AAC & Augmentative Communication44
- Voice22
- Speech Fluency (Stuttering)28
- Pragmatic Language40
- Narrative Language & Retelling26
- Vocabulary & Semantics28
- Articulation43
- Expressive Language27
- Motor Speech (Apraxia & Dysarthria)12
- Grammar, Syntax & Morphology18
- Receptive Language15
- Phonological Processes2
Vision, Hearing & Assistive Technology
Science, Social Studies & Digital Literacy
Writing
Reading
Behavior & Classroom Expectations
Motor & Sensory Skills (OT, PT & Adapted PE)
Middle school goals across areas focus on independence across several classes: comprehension of content texts, written responses, pre-algebra, planning and organization, self-advocacy, and social awareness. Data often come from several teachers, so goals use shared, simple measures.
Matching data sheets
Each goal above links to the blank sheet built for its measure. These are the sheets this set of goals uses:
- Accuracy trackerNumber correct out of number attempted, with percent accuracy and support level.Used by 774 goals here
- Frequency & rate trackerCounts a defined behavior during a fixed observation period. Calculates rate when time is recorded.Used by 142 goals here
- Opportunity trackerRecords each opportunity as independent, prompted, or not demonstrated.Used by 804 goals here
- Reading fluency trackerWords attempted, errors, words correct per minute, and accuracy for each probe.Used by 8 goals here
- Rubric trackerScores each rubric criterion and totals the score for each sample.Used by 265 goals here
- Task-analysis checklistMarks each step of a routine as independent, with support, or not completed across sessions.Used by 325 goals here
- Duration trackerTimes how long a behavior lasts and compares it with the target duration.Used by 83 goals here
- Latency trackerTimes the gap between a cue and the start of the response.Used by 43 goals here
Frequently asked questions
What are common IEP goals for middle school?
Comprehension, written expression, pre-algebra, planning and assignment completion, self-advocacy, and social-emotional goals are common. Some students begin career exploration.
How do I collect data across several middle school classes?
Pick one or two classes for each goal, use a short shared sheet or the gradebook, and agree on who collects data and when. Self-monitoring can add data from the student.
Should middle school students attend their IEP meetings?
Many do, and it helps them build self-advocacy. Students can share strengths, needs, and what supports help, with practice beforehand.
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