Why are the Goals in the IEP so Important?

When you look at the 20+ pages of the IEP document, do you cringe? Many of us do and may struggle with where to begin.

To make the whole process a bit easier, one of the first places you should focus on are the goals. They are one of the MOST important parts of the document.  The goals are the test of how appropriate the IEP is, and if it is working for your child.  Without the goals, the IEP would have very little meaning and nobody could be held responsible to ensure progress is made.

Below are three reasons why understanding and monitoring your child’s goals are so important:

Goals Provide a Clear Target

The goals contain the outcomes that can be expected as to what your child will learn and achieve.  The goals are based upon the evaluations and other resources used to develop your child’s individual plan.

Don’t be the parent that takes one look at the IEP and the puts into a drawer until your child has a crisis or until the annual review. We all work very hard to get the services our children need.  But, many of us may not have a clear understanding of the goals behind these services.  The goals support the services and set targets that everyone can work toward.

Keep your eye on the goals to make sure everyone involved stays on target, follows the plan, and works collectively to achieve the expected outcomes for your child.

Goals are the Rulers that Measure Progress

When you think of goals, think of a pilot flying a plane. The pilot’s goal is to get the plane safely to its specific destination.  However, wind patterns and weather conditions can throw the plane off its target.  If the pilot did not monitor the plane constantly, it would get off track and delay landing or even miss the final destination entirely.

Similar to the pilot, you need to know your destination.  Equally important, you must constantly measure the progress your child is making toward the expected outcomes outlined in the goals.  Is your child close or far away from their destination? Have they made the progress within the goal’s timelines? Understanding your child’s goals is only one aspect. You must also keep your “ruler” out to make sure everyone remains on target and is always progressing toward meeting the IEP goals.

Goals Provide Critical Evidence

Finally, goals and the progress/or lack of progress, can provide the evidence needed to get changes in the IEP and/or additional services. Unfortunately, there might be times where you and your district may disagree on what your child needs. Having a clear understanding of the goals, AND plenty of documentation are both needed to prove that appropriate progress is or is NOT being made.  Taking the time to document will give you the evidence you need to get appropriate changes.

You will also need this evidence if you are forced to go to mediation or due process. Evidence that supports progress, or the lack thereof, is a vital measurement (the ruler) that a judge uses to determine if the child is receiving an appropriate education.

The sheer volume of words and vocabulary used in an IEP can be overwhelming. Don’t let this distract you!  Begin by focusing on the goals. Do they support your child’s needs? Are they directing your child’s progress toward the appropriate destinations? Are you keeping ongoing documentation and measures of the progress your child is making toward these goals?

Make sure you are at the helm, and just like the pilot, keep monitoring the goals to make sure that your child gets to the destination you have envisioned for them!