How to Write and Select Effective IEP Goals

Writing IEP Goals with Confidence and Clarity

Struggling with vague, overloaded, or non-measurable IEP goals? This concise, practical training walks you through how to write annual goals that are compliant, meaningful, and manageable—no jargon, no fluff. You’ll learn how to use baseline data, isolate variables, and structure objectives that actually guide instruction and support student growth.

Designed by a team of special education advocates and educators, this training breaks down the SMART goal framework, explains how to align goals with present levels, and offers real examples that can be adapted across grade levels and settings. Whether you’re new to writing IEPs or just need a confidence boost, you’ll walk away with tools you can use immediately.

Read our CEC options and policies.

CEC Time Estimate:

2.0 CEC hours

Here’s how you can break that down if needed:

Includes:

• Concept instruction

• PDF tools and worksheets

• Data-driven examples

• Multiple models (3+ “routes” to goal writing)

• Compliance tie-ins with IDEA citations

• A full decision-making walkthrough

• FAQs

• Reflection and implementation guidance