Executive function IEP goals after a traumatic brain injury
A brain injury can make starting a task slower at some hours of the day than others. The goal should name how far into the day or task the number was taken, and how that compares with before the injury. 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 17, 2026.
Is this your goal?
“Student will regain pre-injury attention and task-completion skills with teacher support.”
The line skips the starting point, the timeframe, and any comparison to before the injury.
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“Given a two-item picture list right after morning recess, Vaughn will start both listed items, tallied and sent home weekly.”
Strong“Given a two-item picture list right after morning recess, Vaughn will start both listed items within 30 seconds on 4 of 5 days, tallied and sent home weekly.”
Baseline
Zero starts within 30 seconds today.
Countable
Starting within 30 seconds: stopwatch call.
Reported
A weekly note beats report cards.
With no seconds attached, a lucky Tuesday can stand for the week while Vaughn still needs the same nudge every morning.
IDEA requires goals to be measurable: 34 CFR 300.320(a)(2).
“Could the log show seconds to start, not just whether he eventually did?”
Present levels ought to note whether mornings or afternoons change how fast he starts.
3rd through 5th grade
Weak“Using a three-step checklist during the first task after lunch, Vaughn will complete all three steps in order on 4 of 5 school days.”
Strong“Using a three-step checklist during the first task after lunch, Vaughn will complete all three steps in order on 4 of 5 school days, logged and reviewed monthly.”
Baseline
One step done alone after lunch.
Countable
Three checklist steps in order: verifiable.
Reported
Monthly review shows the afternoon dip.
Skip the monthly review and a slipping afternoon pattern goes unnoticed until the annual meeting arrives.
IDEA requires the IEP to say how progress is measured and reported: 34 CFR 300.320(a)(3).
“When does this get reviewed, and does it happen after lunch on purpose?”
Open the goal page. Does the timing after lunch appear anywhere in it?
6th through 8th grade
Weak“With a five-subject planner checked at the last bell, Vaughn will use planning strategies on 4 of 5 school days, counted each month.”
Strong“With a five-subject planner checked at the last bell, Vaughn will write down all homework due the next day on 4 of 5 school days, counted each month.”
Baseline
Two subjects written down most days.
Countable
Homework listed for five subjects: countable.
Reported
Monthly tally reaches me with grades.
“Use planning strategies” names nothing to tally, so a teacher marks it however she likes and Vaughn’s planner stays half filled.
IDEA requires goals to be measurable: 34 CFR 300.320(a)(2).
“Which five subjects have to be listed before this counts as done?”
Homework counts belong somewhere inside last quarter’s progress report too.
9th through 12th grade
Weak“Vaughn will sort his three weekend tasks by deadline and start the first task in 3 of 4 weeks, reported monthly.”
Strong“Checking a phone reminder before each study block, Vaughn will sort his three weekend tasks by deadline and start the first task in 3 of 4 weeks, reported monthly.”
Baseline
Without the reminder, 1 sorted week in 8.
Countable
One sorted list, one task begun.
Reported
Transition team sees four monthly updates.
Take away the phone reminder and the routine disappears while the goal keeps counting, so Vaughn plans alone with no one noticing.
IDEA requires goals to be measurable: 34 CFR 300.320(a)(2).
“Who checks that the phone reminder actually happens before study block?”
Ask about the services page: are minutes written for teaching him to sort tasks?
What to ask the team
How does his starting speed change between morning and afternoon tasks?
Was any baseline compared with how he planned before the injury?
Is the slow start being measured, or assumed from one bad day?
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.
