Wyoming IEP Goal Bank: Writing Measurable Goals Under Chapter 7

Wyoming Chapter 7 Rules are explicit: IEP annual goals must be measurable, tied directly to the deficits identified in the PLAAFP, and must specify the exact method of measurement that will be used to track progress. A goal that says "Bobby will improve his reading" meets none of those criteria. Neither does "Maria will work on social skills."

This post provides a bank of sample goals written to meet Wyoming's standards, organized by area. Use these as starting points — they need to be tailored to your child's specific baseline data and IEP.

What Makes an IEP Goal Legally Compliant in Wyoming

The WDE requires every annual goal to:

1. Emerge from the PLAAFP — the goal addresses a specific deficit identified in the Present Levels statement
2. Be measurable — it specifies a numerical target, not a vague direction
3. Include a measurement method — curriculum-based measurement (CBM), pre/post assessments, observational data, etc.
4. Include a criteria for mastery — how will you know the student met the goal?
5. Have a timeline — typically one year from the IEP start date

Progress toward goals must be reported at the same frequency as report cards for non-disabled peers, using the exact measurement method written into the goal.

Reading Goals

Oral Reading Fluency: By [date], [student] will read 3rd-grade level passages aloud at a rate of 90 correct words per minute with 95% accuracy, as measured by weekly curriculum-based measurement (CBM) probes, in 4 out of 5 consecutive measurement opportunities.

Reading Comprehension: By [date], [student] will answer 4 out of 5 literal and inferential comprehension questions after reading a 4th-grade level passage, as measured by teacher-created comprehension probes administered bi-weekly.

Phonemic Awareness: By [date], [student] will correctly segment and blend phonemes in single-syllable CVC and CCVC words with 80% accuracy, as measured by weekly phonemic awareness probes, in 3 out of 4 consecutive assessment sessions.

Writing Goals

Written Expression — Sentence Level: By [date], [student] will write 5 grammatically correct, complete sentences on a given topic with fewer than 2 mechanical errors per sentence, as measured by bi-weekly written language samples scored with a teacher-developed rubric, in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Paragraph Organization: By [date], [student] will independently write a 3-paragraph essay containing a topic sentence, 3 supporting details, and a concluding sentence, achieving a score of 3 or higher on a 4-point district writing rubric, in 3 out of 4 assessed writing samples per quarter.

Math Goals

Computation Fluency: By [date], [student] will complete 20 single-digit addition and subtraction facts within 3 minutes with 95% accuracy, as measured by weekly timed math fact assessments.

Problem Solving: By [date], [student] will correctly solve 4 out of 5 multi-step word problems at the 3rd-grade level using a self-monitoring problem-solving checklist, as measured by bi-weekly teacher-developed assessments.

Speech and Language Goals

Articulation: By [date], [student] will correctly produce the /r/ sound in all positions of words in spontaneous conversation with 80% accuracy, as measured by the SLP during weekly 15-minute therapy sessions and monthly probes in the classroom setting.

Expressive Language: By [date], [student] will use complete 4-to-6-word sentences to request items, describe actions, and answer questions in structured therapy activities with 75% accuracy, as measured by the SLP during bi-weekly language samples.

Receptive Language: By [date], [student] will follow 3-step oral directions without visual cues in 4 out of 5 trials, as measured by weekly teacher and SLP data collection.

Behavior and Social-Emotional Goals

Self-Regulation: By [date], [student] will independently use a designated calming strategy within 2 minutes of identifying an escalating feeling, without adult prompting, in 4 out of 5 observed escalation sequences per week, as measured by teacher behavior logs.

Task Completion: By [date], [student] will complete assigned independent work tasks within the allotted time with at least 80% accuracy, requiring no more than 2 teacher prompts per session, as measured by daily teacher observation data averaged weekly.

Transition Goals (Age 16 and Older)

Wyoming IEPs must include transition goals beginning at age 16, based on age-appropriate assessments, addressing post-secondary education, employment, and independent living.

Employment/Vocational: By [date], [student] will identify 3 occupational areas of interest and complete an informational interview with a professional in one of those fields, as evidenced by a completed interview reflection submitted to the transition coordinator.

Post-Secondary Education: By [date], [student] will identify and visit 2 post-secondary programs (community college, vocational program, or apprenticeship) that align with their career interests, as documented by campus visit logs and student reflection forms.

Independent Living: By [date], [student] will independently manage a weekly personal schedule using a self-selected organizational tool for 8 consecutive weeks, as verified by bi-weekly check-ins with the transition coordinator.

How Goals Connect to Wyoming's Chapter 7 Monitoring Requirements

Because Wyoming requires progress to be reported at the same time as general education report cards, your child's IEP should specify exactly when and how progress data is compiled. If the IEP says "curriculum-based measurement," the teacher should have CBM data to share at reporting time — not an estimate or a general impression.

If the measurement method written in the goal cannot realistically be administered by the staff assigned to your child, raise this at the IEP meeting. An unmeasurable goal is an unenforceable goal.

The Wyoming IEP & 504 Blueprint at /us/wyoming/iep-guide/ includes a full goal-writing framework for Wyoming parents, including how to challenge vague goals and request that existing goals be revised to meet Chapter 7's measurability standards.

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