What is a measurable goal included in the IEP according to IDEA?

A measurable goal included in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is focused on student outcomes that can be quantified and monitored over time. Post-secondary transition goals are essential in the IEP for students, particularly as they approach the end of their secondary education. These goals directly relate to preparing the student for life after high school, including education, employment, and independent living, and they must be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

In contrast, while emotional support needs, physical accommodations, and augmentative communication devices are important components of an IEP, they do not represent measurable goals in the same way that post-secondary transition goals do. Emotional support needs may describe the type of support the student requires, physical accommodations refer to adjustments made to the learning environment, and augmentative communication devices are tools that assist communication. However, these elements are more about the supports or services provided rather than the specific, measurable goals that track the progress of the student toward independence and success after graduation.