What is one key characteristic of an IEP goal?

A key characteristic of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) goal is that it is aligned with grade-level academic expectations. This alignment ensures that the goals set for a student not only address their unique needs but also integrate them into the broader educational framework, fostering academic progress in relation to their peers. By being connected to grade-level standards, the goals provide a clear benchmark for assessing student performance and effectiveness of the educational interventions.

Moreover, this alignment helps teachers and therapists to create more targeted and relevant strategies that facilitate the student's academic growth while also addressing their specific learning needs. It reinforces the idea that students with disabilities should have access to the general curriculum and should be held to high expectations, just like their non-disabled peers, as outlined by laws such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

In contrast, goals that are vague, non-measurable, or overly focused on non-academic skills would not serve to effectively track a student's academic progress or help them engage with the educational standards expected at their grade level. Additionally, while IEP guidelines may differ slightly by state, the overarching principle of aligning IEP goals with academic expectations remains consistent across the board.