What are standards-based IEP goals required to align with in Texas?

The correct answer is that standards-based Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals in Texas must align with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). TEKS outlines the state-mandated curriculum for public schools and serves as a framework for what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. By aligning IEP goals with TEKS, educators ensure that students with disabilities are provided access to the same high-quality education and learning outcomes as their peers. This alignment is crucial for supporting the academic growth and achievement of students with disabilities within the general education curriculum.

While state assessments and national education standards are important aspects of educational policy and accountability, the specific requirement for IEP goals in Texas centers around TEKS. Thus, options focused on state assessments or national standards do not directly tie to the alignment criteria established for IEP goals in Texas. Similarly, grade-level university standards are not applicable in this context as they pertain to post-secondary education, whereas TEKS specifically addresses K-12 education.