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How to Draw a Straight Line from Needs to Goals in an IEP

Let's make some connections

Hey there, welcome back to Special Education for Beginners!

We’re continuing our October series on writing IEPs that are clear, meaningful, and connected. Last week, on Episode 280, we talked about the PLAAFP and how it serves as the blueprint of the IEP. This week, we’re taking the very next step: turning the needs you identified in the Present Levels into strong, measurable goals.

If you can’t find evidence of the need in the Present Levels, it doesn’t belong in the goal section.

Too often, IEPs end up with unsupported goals — goals that don’t connect back to the Present Levels. In this episode, I walk you through how to avoid that trap and create goals that are directly linked to the student’s needs, supported by baseline data, and easy for the entire IEP team to understand.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:
✅ How to highlight needs in the Present Levels and make them your roadmap
✅ Why baselines matter (and why I never start a goal at 0%)
✅ How to write goals that are ambitious but realistic, specific but not overcomplicated
✅ The importance of sticking to one skill per goal
✅ Why you don’t need a goal for every single need — and what to do instead
✅ Tips for using parent-friendly language so everyone on the team understands

When your goals are aligned, the whole IEP feels purposeful and connected.

📚 Resource Mentioned:
👉 Digital Goal Bank... For a limited time, grab it for 25% off to make goal writing easier and more effective: Get the resource here

🎧 Listen now to Episode 281 and start writing goals that are connected, measurable, and meaningful for your students.

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