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IEP Goals and Objectives - Define what your child will achieve:
A "Goal"
is defined as: The final purpose or aim; the end to which a design
tends, or which a person aims to reach or attain (Webster's 1913
Dictionary @ hyperdictionary.com) and The state of affairs
that a plan is intended to achieve and that (when achieved) terminates
behavior intended to achieve it (WordNet Dictionary @ hyperdictionary.com).
An "Objective" is defined as: The goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable); undistorted by emotion or personal bias; based on observable phenomena; emphasizing or expressing things as perceived without distortion of personal feelings or interpretation (WordNet Dictionary @ hyperdictionary.com).
In terms of goals, "objective" can be a noun or an adjective. An objective is an attainable element of a goal whereas being objective describes a way of factually viewing information without personal perceptions interfering with accuracy. MANY goals are not written to be objective nor measurable.
In order to know if your child has achieved their final purpose, his goals must be objectively measurable.
Teacher observation and classroom grades are not valid forms of measurement and have been designated as inappropriate measures of progress by the courts. That's not to say teachers can't "observe" successes, but they must track progress through data tracking sheets. Physically writing down observations helps document progress objectively rather than subjectively "supposing" a child has met their goals.
Objective measurements are based upon standardized testing for specific skills or through ongoing data collection of appropriate data. Data collection is preferable as it will show a trend over time and doesn't rely on performance at a single point in time (when the child may be having an exceptionally good or exceptionally bad day). Objective measures should be "observable" by anyone at any time.
You
might find it beneficial to read a reference book (or two) about
writing IEPs. You can browse available books
through this special link pointing to Books
about IEPs at LAK's "sister" site. Many of these books
can be checked out at your local library. In any case, it will help
you know what types of books are available to help you understand
IEPs in more depth.
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