Which of the following is a valid example of an IEP annual goal?

• A. The student will participate in gym class.
• B. The student will always follow directions.
• C. Given a two-step direction, the student will independently complete a graphic organizer with 90% accuracy in 4 of 5 opportunities.
• D. The student will improve handwriting.

Answer: (C)

Focusing on a measurable, observable outcome with clear criteria is what makes an IEP annual goal workable. The best example includes a condition, a specific action, a criterion, and a way to measure progress. Here, the student is expected to perform a defined task (independently complete a graphic organizer) after a specified prompt (given a two-step direction), with a clear performance standard (90% accuracy) across a set number of opportunities (4 of 5). This structure makes progress monitoring straightforward—teachers can track whether the student meets the 90% criterion in the given context and frequency.

The other options lack that level of specificity. One just says the student will participate in gym class, which doesn’t specify what, how well, or how progress will be measured. Another uses “always follow directions,” which is vague and relies on an untestable level of consistency. The last one says the student will improve handwriting but doesn’t define a starting point, target, or how to measure improvement.

So, the example with a two-step direction, a concrete task, a 90% criterion, and repetition across opportunities best fits an IEP annual goal because it is concrete, observable, and progress-monitorable.