At a meeting the other day the teachers wanted to write a goal for a student who has extreme difficulty staying on task. He is capable of doing quality work yet needs a lot of ‘prompts’ to stay with it. This is true even in a small 2 teachers to 6 student classroom environment.
The teacher’s wanted to write the goal with 6 prompts. One of the parents felt that was extreme and unnecessary. They compared their business work expectation of employees to the how their child should behave, in class, now. This is not a valid comparison.
An employee is hired with the belief they are able to do the work. This is not the expectation for children. School is a teaching environment. The teachers explained that based on what was currently happening in the classroom 6 prompts would be an improvement for their child. Even with discussion the parent would not accept the higher number.
The goal was written with 2 prompts. Here is the very important take away. IEP goals are annual goals. They should be meaningful and realistic. With support they should be attainable for your child. They should not be too easy, nor should they be so difficult as to reflect the ideal.
IEP’s can be opened multiple times a year. Goal’s are like stair steps. They are designed to move your child along a continuum of success. Do not be afraid of what your child ‘looks like’ based on a well written goal. If your child’s progress report indicates they are not making adequate progress to meet a goal. Ask for a meeting to find out what is happening and what needs to be done to make it happen.
Not sure what to do or how to put all the information together in a meaningful way? Reach out today.
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