IEP Behavior Goals
Templates & Examples
Free behavior goal IEP templates with measurable behavioral goals examples. Write effective IEP behavior goals that improve student outcomes with our comprehensive guide for school teams and special education professionals.
Popular Behavior Goal IEP Resources
Jump to the most requested IEP behavior goals examples and templates
How to Write IEP Behavior Goals: 4 Essential Components
Every effective behavior goal IEP must include these critical elements for measurable behavioral goals that work in school settings
Measurable Behavior
Clear, observable, and quantifiable target behavior
Will raise hand and wait to be called on...
Conditions
Setting, materials, and supports provided
During whole group instruction with visual reminder...
Criteria
Performance level and frequency required
80% of opportunities across 5 consecutive days...
Timeline
When the goal will be measured and reviewed
By the end of the IEP year...
Common Types of IEP Behavior Goals
Comprehensive coverage of behavior goals across different domains
Social Skills Goals
Peer interaction, communication, and social appropriateness
Attention & Focus Goals
On-task behavior, following directions, and sustained attention
Self-Regulation Goals
Emotional control, coping strategies, and behavioral responses
Academic Behavior Goals
Work completion, participation, and academic engagement
Measurable Behavioral Goals Examples for IEP Teams
Ready-to-use examples of behavioral goals for IEP implementation. Copy, customize, and use these behavior goal IEP templates with your students. Each behavioral goal includes specific criteria and measurement methods.
Attention & Focus Examples
On-Task Behavior Goal:
“During independent work time, [Student] will remain on-task and engaged with assigned activities for 15 consecutive minutes, in 4 out of 5 trials across 2 consecutive weeks, as measured by teacher observation.”
Following Directions Goal:
“When given a 2-step direction during classroom instruction, [Student] will complete both steps within 3 minutes without additional prompts, in 80% of opportunities over 4 consecutive weeks.”
Social Skills Examples
Peer Interaction Goal:
“During structured social activities, [Student] will initiate appropriate conversation with peers by asking questions or making comments, at least 3 times per 20-minute session, for 3 consecutive weeks.”
Conflict Resolution Goal:
“When experiencing conflict with peers, [Student] will use appropriate conflict resolution strategies (walk away, ask for help, use calm words) in 4 out of 5 opportunities across 2 consecutive weeks.”
Self-Regulation Examples
Emotional Regulation Goal:
“When feeling frustrated or upset, [Student] will use learned coping strategies (deep breathing, count to 10, request break) before acting out, in 80% of observed situations over 4 consecutive weeks.”
Appropriate Help-Seeking Goal:
“When needing assistance with academic tasks, [Student] will appropriately request help by raising hand and waiting to be acknowledged, in 9 out of 10 opportunities across 3 consecutive weeks.”
Academic Behavior Examples
Work Completion Goal:
“Given classroom assignments at instructional level, [Student] will complete assigned work with 80% accuracy within the designated time frame, in 4 out of 5 consecutive school days over 3 weeks.”
Class Participation Goal:
“During whole group discussions, [Student] will participate by raising hand and contributing relevant comments or questions at least 2 times per class period, for 4 out of 5 consecutive days.”
📋 Why These Examples of Behavioral Goals Work
Each behavioral goal example above demonstrates the SMART criteria for effective IEP behavior goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
🎯 Using These Behavioral Goals in Your IEP Process
1. Customize for Your Student
Adapt these behavioral goals examples to match your student's specific needs, current performance level, and classroom environment.
2. Set Up Data Collection
Create data collection systems that match the measurement criteria specified in each behavior goal IEP.
3. Train Your Team
Ensure all school staff understand the behavioral goals and know how to support student success with consistent implementation.
Complete IEP Behavior Goal Example
See how all components come together in a complete, measurable behavior goal IEP teams can implement
“When wanting to join a group activity during recess and lunch periods, [Student] will appropriately request to join by asking permission and waiting for a response before joining, in 4 out of 5 observed opportunities across 3 consecutive weeks, as measured by teacher observation and data collection, by the end of the IEP year.”
✓ What makes this goal strong:
- • Specific, observable behavior
- • Clear conditions and setting
- • Measurable criteria (4/5 opportunities)
- • Defined timeline and measurement method
📊 Data Collection:
- • Track during recess and lunch
- • Record attempts and successes
- • Weekly progress monitoring
- • Quarterly IEP team review
Free IEP Behavior Goal Resources
Everything you need to write, implement, and track behavior goals effectively
IEP Behavior Goals Template Library
50+ pre-written, measurable behavior goals ready to customize
1,200+ downloads
Data Collection Sheets
Track progress on behavior goals with easy-to-use forms
800+ downloads
Parent Communication Templates
Share behavior goal progress with families effectively
600+ downloads
Frequently Asked Questions About IEP Behavior Goals
Common questions about writing and implementing behavior goals IEP teams ask
What is a behavior goal IEP?
A behavior goal IEP is a specific, measurable objective written into a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) to address behavioral challenges. These IEP behavior goals target specific behaviors like attention, social skills, self-regulation, and academic behaviors to help students succeed in school.
What are examples of behavioral goals for IEP?
Examples of behavioral goals include: on-task behavior (staying focused for specific time periods), social skills (initiating conversations with peers), self-regulation (using coping strategies when frustrated), and academic behaviors (completing assignments independently). Each goal must be measurable and include specific criteria.
How do you write measurable behavioral goals examples?
Measurable behavioral goals examples include four key components: 1) Observable behavior (what the student will do), 2) Conditions (when/where it occurs), 3) Criteria (success rate and timeframe), 4) Measurement method (how progress is tracked). For example: 'During math class, [Student] will complete assigned work with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 consecutive days.'
What are behavior IEP goals vs regular IEP goals?
Behavior IEP goals specifically target behavioral challenges and social-emotional skills, while regular IEP goals may focus on academic achievement. Behavior iep goals often address attention, self-regulation, social skills, and classroom behaviors that impact learning, using behavioral measurement techniques.
How do you track progress on IEP behavior goals?
Track progress on IEP behavior goals through direct observation, data collection sheets, frequency counts, duration recording, and teacher/staff reports. Document daily or weekly progress, review monthly, and adjust goals during quarterly IEP meetings based on student performance data.
Start Writing Better Behavior Goals Today
Join thousands of school teams using our proven templates and strategies to create meaningful, achievable IEP behavior goals.