Written expression IEP goals can range from learning basic sentence structures to mastering more advanced skills like writing paragraphs or essays.

These goals aim to improve the special needs student’s ability to:

• Organize thoughts
• Use correct grammar
• Form coherent sentences
• Express themselves more clearly in writing

Key Benefits of Written Expression IEP Goals

• Improves Communication Skills: Many students with special needs struggle with written communication. Custom IEP goals for writing skill development focus on helping students express their thoughts and ideas in writing.
• Supports Academic Progress: Written expression is a vital part of academic success. From simple writing assignments to complex essays, tailored IEP goals for this skill set help students meet grade-level academic expectations.
• Prepares for Future Success: Writing is a lifelong skill essential for most careers. Developing these skills early prepares students for future academic, professional, and personal writing tasks.
• Addresses Specific Needs: IEP goals for written expression systematically address the student's specific areas of difficulty, such as grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure.

Areas of Focus with Written Expression IEP Goals

1. Sentence Structure

Many special needs students struggle with constructing grammatically correct sentences.

Custom IEP goals can help them write sentences with a clear subject and predicate, which in turn can serve as the foundation for more complex writing tasks. These goals also support students in developing more coherent and complete thoughts.

Sample IEP Goals for Mastering Sentence Structure

• Goal 1: By the end of the semester, the student will write 5 complete sentences in a paragraph, each with proper subject-verb agreement, in 4 out of 5 classroom writing assignments.
• Goal 2: The child will construct sentences using both a subject and predicate, avoiding fragments, and will achieve 80% accuracy in sentence structure across 3 out of 4 writing tasks by the end of the grading period.

2. Grammar & Punctuation

Mastery of grammar and punctuation is essential for producing clear, well-structured writing. Students in special education often need targeted support in using proper punctuation, capitalization, and adhering to fundamental grammar rules.

Focusing on these areas not only helps them avoid common errors but also improves their overall communication skills.

Examples of IEP Goals for Improving Grammar and Punctuation

• Goal 1: By the end of the school year, the student will use correct capitalization, punctuation (periods, commas, question marks), and grammar in 80% of their written assignments.
• Goal 2: The student will apply correct tense (past, present, future) and pluralization rules in sentences, achieving 70% accuracy in 4 out of 5 graded writing assignments by the end of the quarter.

3. Spelling

Spelling plays an important role in written communication. Spelling challenges are common and can hinder the ability to communicate ideas, especially for students with learning disabilities.

IEP goals for improvement in this area typically focus on enhancing spelling accuracy through the application of phonetic patterns and memorization of high-frequency words

Examples of Spelling Goals for Special Education IEPs

• Goal 1: The student will accurately spell 20 new grade-level sight words in 80% of their writing assignments, as assessed through weekly spelling tests and classroom observations, by the end of the semester.
• Goal 2: The student will use phonetic spelling to spell unfamiliar words and achieve 75% accuracy in spelling tasks during dictation exercises by the end of the grading period.

4. Idea Organization

Writing involves not just constructing sentences but also organizing thoughts logically. IEP goals in this case help students learn how to structure paragraphs, essays, and other writing formats. Students need to learn how to sequence their ideas clearly and logically, which helps in writing coherent and connected text.

Examples of IEP Goals that Focus on Idea Organization

• Goal 1: Within 6 months, the student will write a 5-sentence paragraph with a topic sentence, at least 3 supporting details, and a concluding sentence in 4 out of 5 written tasks, as measured by teacher rubrics.
• Goal 2: The student will write a multi-paragraph essay (3–5 paragraphs) with an introduction, body, and conclusion; the student willscore70% or higher on organization and content, as evaluated through teacher feedback in 3 out of 5 writing assignments by the end of the school year.

5. Handwriting & Typing

Depending on the student's individual needs, handwriting legibility or typing proficiency may be a focus.

Some students may have difficulties with fine motor skills, which can impact their handwriting. Others may benefit from improving their typing speed and accuracy to complete digital assignments better.

Sample IEP Goals for Improving Handwriting & Typing Skills

• Goal 1: By the end of the school year, the student will improve their handwriting legibility by correctly forming all letters, spacing words appropriately, and achieving 80% legibility as measured through weekly handwriting practice sheets.
• Goal 2: The student will increase their typing speed to 20 words per minute with 90% accuracy with a focus on proper finger placement and spelling in digital writing tasks by the end of the semester.

6. Editing and Revising

Editing and revising are essential skills for students to refine their writing. These skills help students recognize and correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and organization errors. Setting IEP goals around editing and revising encourages students to take ownership of their writing process and improve the quality of their work.

Sample IEP Goals for Editing & Revising

• Goal 1: By the end of the semester, the student will edit and revise their written work to correct 80% of grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors independently, using a teacher-provided checklist in 4 out of 5 written tasks.
• Goal 2: The student will revise at least 70% of their written assignments for improved clarity, organization, and idea flow, based on teacher feedback, by the end of the grading period.

Strategies for Developing Written Expression IEP Goals

IEP goals require a structured approach that addresses the student’s individual strengths and areas of need.

Here are some strategies to keep in mind:

1. Use Baseline Data

Start by assessing where students currently stand regarding their writing ability. Use standard assessments, writing samples, or classroom observations to gather baseline data.

2. Incorporate Gradual Progression

Written expression can range from forming letters to composing full essays. Goals should reflect a logical progression in skill development, building on previously mastered skills.

3. Make Goals Functional

Focus on practical writing skills the student will need both inside and outside the classroom, such as writing a short email, filling out forms, or summarizing a story.

4. Break Down Skills

Writing involves multiple steps, and we can break goals down into components such as grammar, sentence formation, idea organization, and editing skills.

5. Include Assistive Technology

Some students may benefit from using assistive technology, such as speech-to-text software or graphic organizers, to help them achieve their writing goals.

6. Collaborate with Other Professionals

Work with speech-language pathologists (SLPs), occupational therapists (OTs), parents, and general education teachers to create interdisciplinary goals that support writing in different contexts.