IEP Goals: S.M.A.R.T.E.R. STEPS® Guide

Kelly Ott, EdD, MHS, CCC-SLP

$29.00

CE Credit Hours : 2
Intermediate Learning Level Introductory
Online Course Online
Customer Testimonials

Course Abstract

IEP Goals: S.M.A.R.T.E.R. STEPS® Guide is a 2-hour online continuing education (CE) course that provides a framework for writing legally compliant IEP goals.

Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings give parents and professionals a chance to work together to design an IEP for children with learning disabilities who have been determined eligible for special education. The goals for academic achievement and functional performance set for each child are the core of the IEP. Goals represent what you and the other IEP team members think the child will be able to accomplish in their area(s) of disability – academic, developmental, and functional – in a year’s time. Annual goals must be written in measurable terms.

This course will focus on teaching professionals how to write legally compliant IEP goals using the S.M.A.R.T.E.R. Steps framework. These steps contain a variety of time-saving tips to help special education professionals understand the legal jargon related to IEP goal development. Examples will be provided to demonstrate the strategy so that participants can have a bank of goals for reference. Real scenarios will be problem-solved within the framework, so participants can have practical advice to share with their IEP teams.

Research on the need for compliant IEP goals will be presented based on the US Deptartment of Education’s findings from the Results Driven Accountability measures. Implications of these findings will be discussed as they relate to federal funding being tied to test results and progress on IEP goals. Recent court decisions will also be reviewed to emphasize the importance of developing compliant IEP goals.

Course #21-35 | 2019 | 44 pages | 16 posttest questions

Learning Objectives

  1. Explain the purpose of developing an IEP goal
  2. Define “individualized” as it pertains to writing an IEP goal
  3. Explain the impact of the IDEA on education for children with disabilities
  4. Describe the ‘Results Driven Accountability’ Framework
  5. Explain how the SMARTER Steps system helps professionals to write legally compliant IEP goals
  6. Identify each part of the SMARTER mnemonic as written in IEP goals

Course Directions

This online course provides instant access to the course materials (PDF download) and CE test. The course is text-based (reading) and the CE test is open-book (you can print the test to mark your answers on it while reading the course document).

Successful completion of this course involves passing an online test (80% required, 3 chances to take) and we ask that you also complete a brief course evaluation.

About the Author(s)

Kelly Ott, EdD, MHS, CCC-SLP : Find out More

Kelly Ott, EdD, MHS, CCC-SLP, is a certified speech-language pathologist, education consultant, and national public speaker. Kelly is a founding partner of SMARTER Steps, a national consulting business for professionals, parents, and individuals with disabilities. She provides professional development and training for educators, administrators, professionals, and parents related to IEP services and self-advocacy. Kelly has co-authored over 100 online continuing education titles, IEP resources, and materials for educators and professionals, as well as the book, The SMARTER Guide to Creating IEP Goals. Kelly has also served as a regular education teacher, a special education director, and a K-8 administrator. She has been recognized by colleagues as a person dedicated to helping each student learn and grow.

Disclosure

:

Content: This presentation will focus exclusively on information on how to write IEP goals using the SMARTER Steps Framework and will not include information about other similar or related frameworks for writing IEP goals.

Financial: Kelly Ott is a founding partner of S.M.A.R.T.E.R. Steps®, a national consulting business, and is paid to present professional development and training for administrators, professionals, and parents related to IEP services and self-advocacy. She also receives royalties on her book The SMARTER Guide to Creating IEP Goals.

Nonfinancial: No relevant non-financial relationship exists.

CE Information

Counseling

National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Approved Continuing Education Provider

Professional Development Resources (PDR) has been approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5590. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. PDR is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Professional Development Resources is also approved as a provider of online (home study) continuing education by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling (#50-1635); the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors (#MHC-0135 - Note: New York counselors will receive 2 continuing education credits for completing this self-study course); the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage & Family Therapist Board (#RCST100501 - Note: Ohio counselors completing this course will receive 2 clinical continuing education credits); the South Carolina Board of Professional Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists (#193); and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635 - all courses are reported within two business days of completion).

Marriage and Family Therapy

American Psychological Association Approved Sponsor

Professional Development Resources is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Professional Development Resources maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Professional Development Resources is also approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC ACEP #5590); the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB Provider #1046, ACE Program); the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA Provider #3159); the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR Provider #PR001); the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy; the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners; the Florida Boards of Social Work, Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy (#BAP346), Psychology & School Psychology (#50-1635), Dietetics & Nutrition (#50-1635), and Occupational Therapy Practice (#34); the Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy; the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors (#MHC-0135), licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0100, and licensed social workers #SW-0664 (Note: New York counselors, marriage & family therapists, and social workers will receive 2 continuing education credits for completing this self-study course); the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker & MFT Board (#RCST100501 - Note: Ohio MFTs completing this course will receive 2 clinical continuing education credits); the South Carolina Board of Professional Counselors & MFTs (#193); the Texas Board of Examiners of Marriage & Family Therapists (#114) and State Board of Social Worker Examiners (#5678); and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635) (all courses are reported within two business days of completion).

Nutrition and Dietetics

Professional Development Resources is a CPE Accredited Provider with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR #PR001). CPE accreditation does not constitute endorsement by CDR of provider programs or materials. Feedback for this activity can be sent directly to CDR. Professional Development Resources is also a provider with the Florida Council of Dietetics and Nutrition (#50-1635) and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635 - all courses are reported within two business days of completion).

Download CDR's Critical Thinking Tool - CDR credentialed practitioners must complete and save this form and the certificate of completion should they ever be audited. Failure to include both certificate and completed tool will result in a failed audit and loss of CPE credit. Feedback about the quality of the activity can be sent directly to CDR: QualityCPE@eatright.org

Occupational Therapy

American Occupational Therapy Association Approved Provider

Professional Development Resources is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course provider ID# 3159. This distance learning-independent course is offered at 0.2 CEUs, introductory level, OT service delivery and professsional issues. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA. Professional Development Resources is also approved by the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy; the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners; the Florida Board of Occupational Therapy Practice; the Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy; and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635) (all courses are reported within two business days of completion). Participant successfully completed the required assessment component for this activity.

Psychology

American Psychological Association Approved Sponsor

Professional Development Resources is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Professional Development Resources maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Professional Development Resources is also approved by the Florida Board of Psychology and the Office of School Psychology and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635 - all courses are reported within two business days of completion). Professional Development Resources, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists (#PSY-0145).

School Psychology

American Psychological Association Approved Sponsor

Professional Development Resources is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Professional Development Resources maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Professional Development Resources is also approved by the Florida Board of Psychology and the Office of School Psychology and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635 - all courses are reported within two business days of completion). Professional Development Resources, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists (#PSY-0145).

Social Work

Association of Social Work Boards ACE Approved continuing education provider

Professional Development Resources, #1046, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 6/12/2022 - 6/12/2025. Social workers completing this course receive 2 clinical continuing education credits.

Professional Development Resources is also approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling (#BAP346); the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers (#SW-0664 - Note: New York social workers will receive 2 continuing education credit(s) for completing this self-study course); the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage & Family Therapist Board (#RCST100501 - Note: Ohio social workers completing this course will receive 2 clinical continuing education credit(s); the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners (#5678);  and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635 - all courses are reported within two business days of completion).

Teaching

Professional Development Resources is approved to sponsor continuing education by the American Psychological Association (APA); the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC ACEP #5590); the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB Provider #1046, ACE Program); the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA Provider #3159); the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR Provider #PR001); the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy; the Florida Boards of Social Work, Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy (#BAP346), Psychology & School Psychology (#50-1635), Dietetics & Nutrition (#50-1635), and Occupational Therapy Practice (#34); the Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy; the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors (#MHC-0135); the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker & MFT Board (#RCST100501); the South Carolina Board of Professional Counselors & MFTs (#193); the Texas Board of Examiners of Marriage & Family Therapists (#114) and State Board of Social Worker Examiners (#5678); and is CE Broker compliant (all courses are reported within a few days of completion).

Customer Testimonials

I.H. (SLP)

Appreciate the knowledge regarding the compliance piece.

S.R. (SLP)

Interesting course.

L.H. (PY)

I would love to see this information shared in training programs. It is very user-friendly and helps for people who don't come from strictly educational experience backgrounds. Very relevant and easy to understand.

K.S. (SLP)

Good overview of Federal Regulations in writing IEP goals and objectives.

S.S. (SS)

Well-written! Great content... useful information!

More Testimonials

C.C. (SLP)

It was helpful to be able to look at your mistakes and make corrections.

T.W. (SLP)

Useful information... IEPs still nerve wracking :)

K.H. (OT)

Overall a great course. I am just considering transitioning into the education system so this was a great eye-opener about the expectations and rationale behind IEP goals. Thank you for this course!

B.P. (SLP)

I have been working to improve my goal writing and this course was exactly what I needed.I appreciated having the background and concise explanation of the history and laws involved in how the IEP evolved.  It helps to understand where expectations originate.

S.G. (SLP)

Enlightening. Good job of presenting the challenges of IEP writing. Lots to learn and process.

B.R. (MHC)

Excellent information Could be used to train staff.

J.J. (SS)

This was a good review as I have been an in-active educator and wish to be prepared to re-enter the work force.

G.L. (SS)

This was a great course, I learned a lot about writing goals that are specific, measurable, and attainable. The course offered great ideas for summarizing/concluding my evaluation reports. Very informative course.

S.P. (OT)

I recently completed my first year as a school-based OT and this course was very helpful. I learned aspects of the IEP that I was not aware of. Thank you!

N.W. (SS)

I thought the course was presented in a clear and concise manner that made it easy to learn and remember.

C.W. (SS)

I would not select this course for more experienced School Psychologists, but it is GREAT for beginners. I wish I could have taken a CE course like this in graduate school or during my first year. It has a lot of great information!

K.K. (SLP)

I loved the examples of writing goals.

J.P. (SLP)

This is much-needed information for special education specialists. I wish this article/course had been written years ago.

T.D. (SLP)

Good reminders and tips for writing appropriate student goals.

C.F. (SLP)

Never having worked in a school setting, it was a good introduction and framework to look at if I ever do work in a school setting.

J.F. (T)

Great course for someone jumping into special education.

F.R. (OT)

Very comprehensive course!

E.P. (SLP)

Great course! This course provided great information for writing IEP goals.

P.S. (OT)

Excellent course & well-presented with great information!!!

E.F. (SLP)

I enjoyed taking the IEP Goals: S.M.A.R.T.E.R. STEPS Guide course. It was very relevant to my current vocation in the school system. I will apply what I have learned when writing up IEP documentation and treatment goals for students.

S.B. (SS)

I have been away from a school SLP position for many years. This was very beneficial for me. It makes aspects of my job understandable. Now I know why we do that. Recommend for all to read.

M.K. (SLP)

The examples given were excellent.

M.J. (SLP)

This course helped me understand the how and why; the reasons for ensuring IEP Goals are well written. Thanks for the tips!

L.B. (SLP)

Thanks you for putting this course together. There are so few resources available for IEP writing.

N.G. (OT)

It was a useful course for the school SLP.

C.N. (SLP)

Thank you for the useful information as it is very relevant to my scope of practice!

X.L. (PY)

Clarified some areas I was not certain about and answered questions that I could not previuosly find answers for.

R.D. (SLP)

Great format and very useful information.

K.V. (SS) (MHC)

I appreciated the case studies and the sample goals. Great course!

H.O. (SLP)

Very good information and going to be a great resource.

T.D. (PY)

The examples at the end were helpful and tied it all together.

M.M. (SLP)

Clear and practical presentation htat was very helpful! Thank you!

P.K. (ND)

I found the information on the 13 required mandates insightful and informative.

D.O. (SLP)

This course is useful & insightful for me. I have had the experience to work with the FL DOE Vocational program as consultant Dietitian. I wish I took this course. This would have helped me a great deal. But I will continue to review this and use as reference. Thank you for the great information and technical references.

Found bank of goals for reference beneficial as well as Results Driven Accountability Framework.