Ever feel like the difference between an IEP goal and an IEP objective is as clear as mud? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. This is a question that comes up all the time.
And hey, if it makes you feel any better, I’ve seen many an IEP meeting where even the professionals get tripped up by this! But today, we’re going to clear things up, once and for all.
What’s the Difference Between IEP Goals and Objectives?
Okay, let’s break this down into something we can all understand (and maybe even remember for more than five minutes).
IEP Goal: This is the big picture. Think of it like the destination on a road trip. An IEP goal sets out a broad statement of what your child should achieve over a year. It is measurable and tied to your child’s unique needs identified in the IEP.
IEP Objective: These are the stepping stones to the goal. Objectives are the smaller, specific, measurable steps your child will take to reach that goal. If the IEP goal is your destination, the objectives are the mile markers along the way, showing you’re headed in the right direction.
Who Decides IEP Goals?
IEP goals are a team decision. However, it is common for the IEP team member whose specialty it is, to write that IEP goal. Like, the SLP writes the speech goals. The OT writes the OT goals. They bring those goals to the IEP table to discuss.
IDEA actually doesn’t say a lot specifically about IEP goals, for example:
- IDEA does not state how many IEP goals or objectives an IEP should have
- IDEA does not define how many IEP goals is too few or too many. I say this because I have heard from parents that their IEP “can’t have that many goals” but this isn’t defined anywhere.
So the answer really is–Your IEP should have as many IEP goals and objectives as is necessary for FAPE for your child. For some kids (like mine!), they have so many needs that it’d be impossible to have a goal for all of them. This is when the team must come together and prioritize.
I know that’s not a measurable answer, but that’s how the IEP process works.
So, What Comes First: A Goal or an Objective?
The goal always comes first. Without the goal, you don’t know what you’re working towards. Once you have that big-picture goal in place, you can break it down into smaller, actionable objectives.
Think of it like baking a cake (because, let’s face it, we all need cake after these IEP meetings). The goal is to bake a chocolate cake. The objectives are the steps in the recipe – mix the ingredients, preheat the oven, bake for 30 minutes, and so on. You can’t start mixing ingredients if you don’t know what cake you’re trying to bake!
Examples of IEP Goals vs. Objectives
Let’s make this practical with some examples.
IEP Goal Example:
By the end of the school year, Alex will improve his reading comprehension to a 5th-grade level, as measured by standardized reading assessments.
IEP Objectives for This Goal:
- Alex will accurately summarize a grade-level text in three sentences, 4 out of 5 times.
- Alex will identify the main idea and two supporting details in a text, 3 out of 5 times.
Notice how the objectives are more specific and measurable steps that lead up to the main goal.
Sample IEP Goal Without Objectives:
Let’s take a look at a goal without objectives:
- IEP Goal: Jamie will increase her ability to self-advocate by recognizing when she needs help and requesting assistance from a teacher or peer in 8 out of 10 opportunities.
This goal doesn’t have objectives broken down, but it is still specific and measurable. It might be perfectly fine on its own if Jamie has already developed some skills in self-advocacy and just needs more practice.
Sample IEP Goal With Objectives
Here’s how that goal could look with objectives:
- IEP Goal: Jamie will increase her ability to self-advocate by recognizing when she needs help and requesting assistance from a teacher or peer in 8 out of 10 opportunities.
Objectives:
- Jamie will use a cue card to identify situations where she may need help in 4 out of 5 instances.
- Jamie will practice asking for help in a role-playing activity with a teacher or peer 2 times per week.
- Jamie will independently request assistance in the classroom setting in 4 out of 5 situations identified.
So, here’s what you need to remember:
- Goals are the big-picture outcomes.
- Objectives are the small, measurable steps to reach those goals.
- Goals come first, objectives follow.
It’s all about knowing where you’re going and having a clear path to get there. And remember, it’s okay to ask for help – that’s what I’m here for. If you need more guidance, check out our IEP Toolkit or join our community where we can dig into the specifics of your child’s IEP together.
Cheers to clearer goals, achievable objectives, and fewer headaches at the IEP table!
