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MDE Office of Special Education
Guidance
Guidance
Measurable Annual Goals and Short-Term Objectives
Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education
August 2019
The following language is specific to measurable goals and short-term objectives. This
information applies to procedural compliance for measurable annual goals. For
information that applies to the substantive issue of educational benefit, please review
the supplement to this guidance that was issued 3/26/2019.
Procedural Requirement
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Michigan Administrative
Rules for Special Education (MARSE) require annual goals and objectives be measurable.
In order to determine whether an annual goal or objective is measurable, the following
components are to be determined through a complete review of the individualized
education program (IEP).
A
.
Current level of performance
B. Specific skill or set of skills to be taught and measured
C. Target or outcome
D. Method of measurement
Formula
Measurability = current level + skill/set of skills + target + method of measurement
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Description
A. Current level of performance—The current level of performance is the student’s
starting point for academic or functional performance. This may include
descriptive and/or quantifiable information.
B. Specific skill or set of skills to be taught and measured. The skill or set of skills is
the expected academic or functional performance to be taught to produce a
measurable outcome.
Note: When identifying a “set of skills” to be taught and measured, short-
term objectives which identify the specific subskills to be taught must be
included.
• Specific subskills for reading comprehension may include identifying
the main idea, drawing conclusions, inferences, etc.;
• Specific subskills for “work readiness skills” may include accepting
directions from a boss, prioritizing work assignments, following a
schedule.
C. Target or outcome—The target or outcome is the level of achievement or
mastery expected for the specific skill or set of skills being taught and measured.
D. Method of measurement—The method of measurement is a description of how
the student’s progress toward meeting the goal or objective is to be determined.
T
his required information can be found in the goal itself or in other areas throughout
the IEP.
Note: Measurable annual goals on an IEP for a transition-aged student must meet all the
above compliance requirements and, in addition, must relate to the student’s transition
services needs.
