IEP Goals in Arkansas: What Parents Need to Know
What makes an IEP goal measurable in Arkansas?
Arkansas requires measurable annual goals in every IEP consistent with Ark. Admin. Code 005.18.10-001, §8.08.1.2, 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. Arkansas follows the federal standard: short-term objectives or benchmarks are required ONLY for students who take alternate assessments aligned to alternate achievement standards (the Dynamic Learning Maps, or DLM, alternate assessment in Arkansas) — they are NOT required for all students with disabilities (§8.08.1.3). This is a critical distinction from states like New Jersey and Michigan. For transition-age students (age 16 and older), the IEP must include measurable postsecondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments related to training or education, employment, and where appropriate independent living skills (§8.08.2.1.A). Goals must be written to allow for objective measurement and reported to parents at least as often as nondisabled peers receive report cards.
What Arkansas Requires
All IEPs must include measurable annual goals designed to meet disability-related needs and enable progress in the general education curriculum (Ark. Admin. Code 005.18.10-001, §8.08.1.2; 34 CFR 300.320(a)(2)).
Short-term objectives or benchmarks are required ONLY for students taking alternate assessments aligned to alternate achievement standards (DLM in Arkansas); they are NOT required for all students with disabilities (Ark. Admin. Code 005.18.10-001, §8.08.1.3).
For students age 16 and older, the IEP must include measurable postsecondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments covering training/education, employment, and where appropriate independent living (Ark. Admin. Code 005.18.10-001, §8.08.2.1.A).
Annual goals must be written so that progress can be objectively measured and reported to parents at minimum as frequently as nondisabled peers receive report cards (34 CFR 300.320(a)(3)).
Goals must address all areas affected by the disability, including academic and functional areas (34 CFR 300.320(a)(2)).
Key Timelines
Annual goals must be reviewed and updated at each annual IEP meeting, at minimum once per year (34 CFR 300.324(b)).
Progress toward annual goals must be reported to parents on the same schedule as general education report cards are issued (34 CFR 300.320(a)(3)(ii)).