SMART Goals for Your Child's IEP
- Madison Nigh
- Oct 2, 2025
- 4 min read
Creating an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for your child can feel overwhelming. However, setting well-defined goals is crucial for nurturing their success. One effective method for crafting these goals is by using the SMART framework.
SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. In this post, we will guide you on how to create SMART goals for your child's IEP, providing concrete examples and practical advice to simplify the process.
Understanding SMART Goals
SMART goals are designed to offer a clear structure for educators and parents, facilitating teamwork in supporting your child's growth. By having precise goals, you can monitor progress, celebrate achievements, and make adjustments as needed.
Specific
The first step in developing a SMART goal is to make it specific. A specific goal should vividly outline the expected outcome. Instead of a vague statement like "enhance reading skills," be precise: "John will read a grade-level text independently."
Example:
Not Specific: Sarah will improve her math skills.
Ask - "What skills?"
Not Specific: Sarah will solve word problems with 75% accuracy.
Ask - "What types of word problems?"
Specific: When given a hundreds chart and manipulatives, Sarah will solve 10 two-digit addition problems with 90% accuracy in 4 out of 5 trials by completion of the IEP as measured by work samples.
Measurable
Goals must be measurable so you can track progress effectively. This means including clear criteria to determine when the goal has been met. Using numbers provides clarity.
Example:
Not Measurable: Increase participation in class.
Ask - "How much will he increase?" "How will you prove that he is making progress?"
Measurable: When given instruction on participation and social emotional skills, Alex will raise his hand to answer questions a minimum of three times across 8 consecutive daily class sessions in 4/5 days of the week by completion of the IEP as measured by observations.
Achievable
While striving for ambitious goals is commendable, they must also be realistic. Consider your child’s starting point and available resources when setting goals. Achievable goals help in maintaining motivation.
Example:
Not Achievable: Emily will read at a college level by the end of the year.
Ask - "What reading level is Emily currently reading at?"
Achievable: When given direct, multi-sensory reading instruction, fron a baseline of reading at a mid-first grade level, Emily will read at a beginning of third-grade level with 90% accuracy in 4/5 trials by completion of the IEP as measured by running records.
Relevant
Goals should resonate with your child's educational needs and interests. Align them with their aspirations to ensure they are meaningful. Remember, the GOAL of the IEP is to meet your child's unique needs for further education, employment, and independent living.
Example:
Not Relevant: Learning to play a musical instrument when the child has no interest in music.
Ask- "How will this benefit my child in the future?"
Relevant: Learning to use a calculator to tackle math problems, which directly assists in daily activities and future job and daily living skills like budgeting.
Time-bound
Every goal should have a clear timeline and/or amount of trials, creating urgency and opportunities for regular evaluations of progress. Setting a time limit prompts immediate action. It also allows for consistent review so that if your child masters a goal prior to the Annual IEP meeting, your team has the opportunity to meet and review that specific goal.
Example:
Not Time-bound: Mark will improve his writing skills.
Ask - "When will I know that my child has completed this goal?"
Time-bound: When given a writing checklist and up to one prompt, Mark will compose a five-sentence paragraph with 80% of the sentences on topic and 80% accuracy in spelling in 4 out of 5 consecutive trials by completion of the IEP as measured by work samples.
Putting It All Together
To combine the five elements of SMART goals, here's a complete, cohesive example:
Goal: When given a fifth grade level text and direct instruction on reading comprehension strategies, Matt will read the text and answer multiple choice inferential text questions with 90% accuracy by completion of the IEP as measured by work samples and data collection.
Service Minutes
While making SMART goals is crucial, remember to include appropriate service minutes that are related to the goals. These outline the support your child will receive, including special education, speech therapy, or occupational therapy, helping them achieve their goals effectively. For example, if a goal involves improving speech clarity, your IEP might include 30 minutes of speech therapy twice a week.
Empowering Your Child's Journey
Formulating SMART goals for your child's IEP is a powerful step towards personalizing their education. By concentrating on goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, you create a roadmap for their success. Collaborate with educators and specialists to refine these goals, ensuring they cater to your child's unique strengths and challenges. Asking questions will help you refine these goals with your child's IEP team.
As you embark on this important journey, remember that the aim is to empower your child to reach their full potential. With defined goals, you can recognize their achievements along the way and provide the necessary support for their growth.
Written By: Madison Nigh
