IEP Goals in Alabama: What Parents Need to Know
What makes an IEP goal measurable in Alabama?
Alabama requires measurable annual goals in every IEP consistent with Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-8-9-.05 and 34 CFR 300.320(a)(2). Annual goals must address the child's disability-related needs to enable involvement and progress in the general education curriculum. Alabama follows the federal standard: short-term objectives or benchmarks are required only for students who take alternate assessments aligned to alternate achievement standards — they are NOT required for all students with disabilities. Goals must align to Alabama's general education content standards, Alabama Extended Standards (for students with significant cognitive disabilities), or Alabama Developmental Standards (for preschool students). For transition-age students (age 16 or older, or younger if the IEP team determines appropriate), the IEP must include measurable postsecondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments; these transition goals must align to Alabama's Transition Standards. Progress toward annual goals must be reported to parents on the same schedule as report cards are issued to nondisabled students.
What Alabama Requires
All IEPs must include measurable annual goals, including academic and functional goals, designed to meet disability-related needs and enable progress in the general education curriculum (Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-8-9-.05; 34 CFR 300.320(a)(2)).
Short-term objectives or benchmarks are required ONLY for students taking alternate assessments aligned to alternate achievement standards; they are not required for all students with disabilities in Alabama (34 CFR 300.320(a)(2)(ii)).
Goals must align to Alabama's general education content standards, Alabama Extended Standards (significant cognitive disabilities), or Alabama Developmental Standards (preschool) (Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-8-9-.05).
For students age 16 and older (or younger if the IEP team determines appropriate), the IEP must include measurable postsecondary goals aligned to Alabama's Transition Standards, based on age-appropriate transition assessments covering training/education, employment, and independent living (Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-8-9-.05; 34 CFR 300.320(b)).
Progress toward annual goals must be measurable and reported to parents on the same schedule as nondisabled peers receive report cards (34 CFR 300.320(a)(3)).
Key Timelines
Annual goals must be reviewed and updated at each annual IEP meeting (34 CFR 300.324(b)).
Progress toward annual goals must be reported to parents as frequently as nondisabled peers receive report cards (34 CFR 300.320(a)(3)).