Transcript [pdf] 

SHOW NOTES

Key Takeaways

• Not everything needs to be an IEP goal. Students will learn all kinds of things through the general education curriculum— focus your goals where it matters most.
• Meaningful IEPs prioritize quality over quantity. A few well-crafted goals are more effective (and manageable) than a long list of generic objectives.
• Use the Four Filters to decide what’s IEP-worthy. These practical questions help determine whether a particular student need belongs on the IEP.
• Some needs don’t require goals— they require support. When a need doesn’t call for specially designed instruction, it may be better suited for a 504 plan or as a supplementary support.
• Good goals should be teachable, trackable, and reachable within a year.

Episode Download/Handout

Inside this free download, you’ll find a printable version of the Four Filters to help you decide what’s truly IEP-worthy, plus clear explanations of what not to write as goals. You’ll also get a helpful visual to guide your team toward writing fewer, better goals— along with real-world examples you can apply right away. Get the download at inclusiveschooling.com/download43.

Practical Tips

1️⃣ Use the Filters Like a Funnel

• • Picture each filter narrowing the focus— only the most meaningful needs make it through to become actual goals.
  • Start by asking: Does this need stem from the student’s disability? If not, stop there.

2️⃣ Check for Adverse Impact on Daily Activities

• • Low test scores alone don’t cut it. A goal should be written only if the need is truly impacting a student’s life or learning in a meaningful way.

3️⃣ Require Specially Designed Instruction (SDI)

• • Ask yourself: Can this be addressed through general ed supports, practice, or time? If yes, it doesn’t belong in the IEP.

4️⃣ Set Realistic, Yearlong Goals

• • If a goal asks a student to make three years of progress in one year— it’s not realistic. Keep the time frame aligned with human development.

Additional Resources

• The Ultimate Inclusive IEP Toolkit: This downloadable resource was designed by Drs. Julie Causton and Kristie Pretti-Frontczak to help educators craft inclusive, strengths-based IEPs. It includes video training, printable guides, and practical tools— like the Magic IEP Matrix and Language Replacement Formula— to simplify and strengthen every step of the IEP process. Whether you're new to special education or a seasoned pro, this toolkit offers time-saving, equity-centered strategies you can use right away.
• The 4 Filters Every IEP Goal Must Pass- Are You Using Them?: This video [9:00] from Inclusive Schooling dives into the four filters that determine if a goal is truly IEP-worthy. It breaks down a real-world example — improving typing speed and accuracy — to assess if it passes the test.
• Why SMART IEP Goals Might Not Be So Smart: 4 Essential Filters You Must Use!: This video [3:20] from Inclusive Schooling explores the limitations of SMART goals and covers how to use four critical filters to ensure your goals are genuinely effective and legally sound.