Written expression IEP goals for a child who has cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy can make gripping a pencil or reaching a key cost more effort than choosing the words. The goal should name the writing tool Elio uses, the exact task it teaches, and whether it scores his ideas or his motor output. Open your child’s IEP to the goal page and read one goal for three things: the baseline it starts from, the behavior someone could count, and the date it gets reported.
By The Advocate Ally, checked against the rules it cites. Sources checked September 15, 2026.
Is this your goal?
“Student will complete written assignments independently across content areas.”
It never says which tool produced the words on the page.
What the rule says
“A statement of measurable annual goals … [and] [a] description of … [h]ow the child’s progress toward meeting the annual goals will be measured, and when periodic reports … will be provided.”
34 CFR 300.320(a)(2)(i) and (a)(3)
The rule’s own example of a periodic report is quarterly, issued with report cards: four updates a year.
The three tests
Every strong goal below passes all three.
BaselineWhere your child is today, as a number with its date, in present levels.
CountableA behavior two adults would tally the same way. Read the goal: what would you count?
ReportedHow often the number comes home. Check the progress-reporting box, then the last report sent.
Weak“Elio will trace the first three letters of his name, on 4 of 5 tries, checked weekly.”
Strong“With a triangular pencil grip and raised-line paper taped to his desk, Elio will trace the first three letters of his name, on 4 of 5 tries, checked weekly.”
Baseline
Elio traces zero letters on plain paper.
Countable
Three traced letters, checked against the model.
Reported
Four Friday checks add up to one score.
Without naming the grip or the raised-line paper, a substitute can hand Elio blank paper and call the goal met.
IDEA requires goals to be measurable: 34 CFR 300.320(a)(2).
“Would blank paper still count toward this goal, or only the raised-line sheet?”
Search the accommodations page for the grip and the raised-line paper by name.
3rd through 5th grade
Weak“Using a large-key keyboard clamped to his tray, Elio will work on written expression skills, on 8 of 10 daily warm-ups, filed each month.”
Strong“Using a large-key keyboard clamped to his tray, Elio will type his name and two spelling words, on 8 of 10 daily warm-ups, filed each month.”
Baseline
Elio types his name in nine seconds today.
Countable
Name plus two spelling words: three clear marks.
Reported
Twenty typed samples fill the binder monthly.
“Work on written expression skills” gives a teacher nothing to mark, so Elio can pass the year without typing one spelling word.
IDEA requires goals to be measurable: 34 CFR 300.320(a)(2).
“Could this goal name the two spelling words instead of a general skill?”
Present levels should list how many seconds Elio needs to type his name.
6th through 8th grade
Weak“Using a head-worn mouse and on-screen keyboard, Elio will write four sentences explaining one science lab, scored each quarter.”
Strong“Using a head-worn mouse and on-screen keyboard, Elio will write four sentences explaining one science lab, on 3 of 4 labs, scored each quarter.”
Baseline
Elio drafts zero of four labs today.
Countable
Four sentences about one lab: four clear marks.
Reported
A quarter score comes from four lab reports.
With no rate set, one strong lab write-up can carry a whole quarter while Elio drafts nothing the other three weeks.
IDEA requires goals to be measurable: 34 CFR 300.320(a)(2).
“How many of these lab write-ups actually count each quarter?”
Open the services page and look for on-screen keyboard instruction time.
9th through 12th grade
Weak“In a forty-minute lab with a sip-and-puff switch scanner, Elio will compose a five-sentence paragraph naming one claim and two reasons, on 5 of 8 sessions.”
Strong“In a forty-minute lab with a sip-and-puff switch scanner, Elio will compose a five-sentence paragraph naming one claim and two reasons, on 5 of 8 sessions, reported each semester.”
Baseline
Elio composed three sentences during one fall trial.
Countable
Claim plus two reasons: three items checked.
Reported
No semester decides when this gets reported.
With no semester written down, a single fall paragraph can still be Elio’s newest sample when the spring team meets.
IDEA requires the IEP to say how progress is measured and reported: 34 CFR 300.320(a)(3).
“Which semester scores this paragraph, and when does it arrive?”
The meeting notes should show the semester this schedule was actually agreed on.
What to ask the team
What tool turns my child’s ideas into words: grip, keyboard, or switch scan?
Was the baseline number tied to a specific tool?
Does this goal score my child’s sentence, or just his reach toward the page?
An example is not your child’s goal: it does not replace the data the team starts from, or advice from someone qualified in your state.
Have every goal in your IEP checked against these three tests, free.
The review reads every page you upload, flags each goal missing a baseline, measurable criteria, a target or a timeline, and quotes the wording with its page.
