Developing Individualized IEP Goals in the Age of Technology: Quality Challenges and Solutions

Overview & Synopsis

Many school districts have adopted commercially available software or templates for electronic Individualized Education Program (IEP) development. These programs have useful features that allow Individualized Education Programs to be electronically developed and reliably stored for each student. Although the program features are designed to enhance efficiency in the development of Individualized Education Program goals and increase compliance with state and federal regulations, there are several challenges to ensuring goals are individualized when using Individualized Education Program goal banks. In this article, the authors discuss the components of quality Individualized Education Program goals, describe challenges teachers face when using electronic goal banks, and make practical recommendations that special education professionals can feasibly implement to ensure electronic Individualized Education Program goals are well written and meet students needs.