Standards-based goals are annual, measurable goals aligned to enrolled grade level. Texas uses the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for students in grade K-12 and the PreKindergarten Guidelines
Annual IEP goals should reflect and link directly to specific grade level TEKS/PreKindergarten Guidelines
The IEP does not need to include all TEKS in a specific subject. The IEP should include only the most critical student expectations within a specific content domain.
What are Annual Goals Statements?
Annual goals are statements that describe what a child with a disability can reasonably be expected to accomplish within a twelve month period in the child’s special education program. These goals are skills and/or knowledge that will be mastered, not an activity.
What is a measurable annual goal?
Measurable goals are defined as statements that contain four critical components:
timeframe
conditions
behavior
criterion.
A measurable goal includes the behavior or skill that can be measured at periodic intervals against a criterion of success.
Detailed Description of the Four Critical Components of a Measurable Goal
A. Timeframe identifies the amount of time in the goal period and is usually specified in the number of weeks or a certain date for completion.
B. Conditions specify the manner in which progress toward the goal occurs.Conditions describe the specific resources that must be present for a child to reach the goal. The condition of the goal should relate to the behavior being measured. For example, a goal relating to reading comprehension may require the use of a graphic organizer. The graphic organizer is the condition.
C. Behavior clearly identifies the performance that is being monitored. It represents an action that can be directly observed and measured.
D. Criterion identifies how much, how often, or to what standard the behavior must
occur in order to demonstrate that the goal has been a mastered.
