The following post will introduce you to our blog, where we discuss Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals related to written expression. Knowing what is expected of your child regarding the written word is crucial whether they are just starting or currently in middle or high school. Your child’s academic and future success may depend significantly on their ability to set and achieve these objectives, according to the US Department of Education. Keep reading this post about “IEP goals for written expression.
But what do IEP goals for written expression look like, and why are they so crucial?
Your child’s writing will improve with the help of these aims, which detail the exact skills and abilities they should develop. Several aspects, like structure, grammar, vocabulary, and more, fall under this category. Furthermore, you and your child’s educators can work together to guarantee the child is on track to succeed in writing by setting clear, measurable goals. Understanding how to write an effective IEP is valuable for this process.
In this post, we’ll discuss the various forms of written expression goals that you can include in an Individualized Education Program (IEP), as well as their significance, and offer some suggestions for how you can best support your kid as they work toward achieving these goals. You will find helpful information here if you are a parent, educator, or student. As an additional resource, the Center for Parent Information and Resources offers comprehensive guidance on supporting students with disabilities.
IEP Goals Examples for Written Expression
IEP goals for written expression are explicit, measurable, and individually suited to the student’s requirements. They intend to assist students in improving their writing abilities and achieving their academic and personal objectives.
Here are some instances of written expression IEP goals:
- Organization: A student’s writing objective may increase their ability to arrange their thoughts and ideas. It is one of the IEP goals for written expression. It may involve establishing an outline, employing transitional phrases, and organizing sentences and paragraphs logically.
- Vocabulary: Expanding students’ vocabulary and improving their descriptive writing skills may be another objective. It may involve acquiring new words and phrases and implementing them naturally and effectively into their writing.
- Grammar and mechanics: A student’s goal may be to enhance the grammar and mechanics of their writing. It may involve utilizing correct punctuation, verb tense, and sentence structure.
- Writing for specific purposes: A student’s objective may be to be able to register for particular reasons, such as an argumentative essay or a research article. It is one of the IEP goals for written expression. It may involve learning to compose a thesis statement, utilizing evidence to support their ideas, and employing the proper citation style.
- Self-editing: A student’s objective may be to increase their capacity to self-edit their writing. It involves the ability to recognize and repair mistakes in grammar, mechanics, and structure.
It is vital to remember that IEP goals for written expression should be explicit and measurable. You should be able to follow the student’s development and determine whether or not they have fulfilled the goal. So these are the IEP goals for written expression. For behavioral issues, a Functional Behavior Assessment can provide additional insights.
In addition, it is essential to emphasize that these are merely examples; schools should tailor each student’s IEP goals to their unique needs, interests, and academic level.
Measurable IEP Goals for Written Expression
Setting concrete, observable goals for students’ writing abilities is essential to an individualized education program (IEP). Below, you can find the IEP goals for written expression. These objectives must be realistic, feasible, and specific to the student’s requirements and skills.
Here are a few quantifiable IEP writing objectives:
- Within 12 weeks, the student will improve their writing fluency to the point where they can write three sentences per minute in response to a given writing prompt with an accuracy rate of at least 80%.
- Over 12 weeks, the student will enhance their grammar and sentence structure by accurately identifying and using at least five distinct types of sentence structures with 80% accuracy in their work.
- Over 12 weeks, the student will increase their vocabulary by employing at least five new words in their writing with an 80% success rate.
- Over 12 weeks, the student will demonstrate their ability to employ descriptive language, arrange their thoughts, and use transition words by writing at least one paragraph per week with an 80% accuracy rate.
- Over 12 weeks, the student will write at least three phrases every week using good letter construction and legible handwriting.
Schools can alter these examples to fit the individual learner’s needs. The IEP team should collaborate to determine the most beneficial objectives for the student. So, those are the IEP goals for written expression.
Written Expression IEP Goals for Different Grade Levels
Written expression measurable IEP goals can differ depending on the student’s grade level.
Here are some examples of IEP goals for written expression that may apply to various grade levels:
Elementary School:
- For 12 weeks, the student will write at least one complete phrase every week with an accuracy rate of 80%.
- Using proper capitalization, punctuation, and space, the student will write at least one paragraph per week for 12 weeks, achieving an accuracy rate of 80%.
- For 12 weeks, the student will write at least one tale weekly using descriptive language with a distinct beginning, middle, and finish.
Middle School:
- For 12 weeks, the student will write at least one page per week utilizing proper grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary, with an accuracy rate of 80 percent.
- For 12 weeks, the student will compose at least one persuasive essay per week with an accuracy rate of 80%, utilizing logical reasoning and evidence to support their position.
- For 12 weeks, the student will produce at least one research paper per week with an accuracy rate of 80%, utilizing proper MLA or APA format and at least two sources.
High School:
- For 12 weeks, the student will write at least one page per week utilizing proper grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary, with an accuracy rate of 80 percent.
- For 12 weeks, the student will write at least one analytical essay per week with an accuracy rate of 80%, analyzing literature or non-fiction text using critical thinking abilities.
- For 12 weeks, the student will write at least one argumentative essay weekly, with 80% correctness, utilizing logical reasoning and evidence to support their thesis and arguments.
It is crucial to note that schools can tailor these examples to the student’s particular needs and skills. The IEP team should collaborate to determine the most suitable goals for the student. Those are the IEP goals for written expression.
What Is an IEP Writing Goal Bank?
When creating an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for a student who has trouble writing, drawing on a “writing goal bank” with several pre-written goals and targets can be helpful. These objectives are flexible and can be tailored to student’s specific needs to help them improve their writing.
Improvements in spelling, punctuation, grammar, sentence structure, vocabulary, handwriting, editing, coherence, organization, persuasive writing, and research writing are all examples of attainable IEP writing goals. These objectives need to be well-defined, quantifiable, and time-bound. The IEP team should collaborate to determine the most beneficial objectives for the student.
Can Speech-Language Therapy Support Written Expression IEP Goals?
Speech-language therapy can assist with written expression IEP goals by providing targeted instruction and support for student’s unique areas of difficulty. Speech-language therapists can assist students in improving their language, vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure. In addition, they may advise students on how to order their thoughts, use descriptive language, and integrate transitional phrases in their writing.
In addition, speech-language therapy can enhance handwriting goals by teaching correct letter construction and fine motor control.
Speech-language therapists can also assist students in comprehending the writing process and how to construct and organize ideas within paragraphs, essays, and papers.
In addition, therapists can help students improve their editing skills by instructing them on grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure.
Notably, speech-language treatment is delivered alongside school teaching. The therapist will collaborate closely with the student’s instructor to ensure that the IEP’s goals and objectives are realized.
In conclusion, speech-language therapy can support written expression IEP goals by providing instruction and support in the student’s specific areas of difficulty, such as language, vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, writing fluency, handwriting, organization, editing, and writing process.
About Us:
Jennifer Hanson is a dedicated and seasoned writer specializing in the field of special education. With a passion for advocating for the rights and needs of children with diverse learning abilities, Jennifer uses her pen to educate, inspire, and empower both educators and parents alike.