IEP Goals in Delaware: What Parents Need to Know
What makes an IEP goal measurable in Delaware?
Delaware IEP goals must be measurable annual goals. Notably, Delaware requires short-term objectives or benchmarks for ALL students with disabilities, not only those taking alternate assessments — this exceeds the federal baseline of 34 CFR 300.320(a)(2)(ii), which requires benchmarks only for students taking alternate assessments (14 Del. Admin. Code 925 § 9.1(b)). Goals must address the student's disability-related needs and enable progress in the general curriculum. The IEP must describe how progress toward annual goals will be measured and how parents will be regularly informed of that progress (14 Del. Admin. Code 925 § 9.1(b), (h)). Parents must be informed of progress toward goals at least as frequently as report cards are issued to nondisabled students. Goals are reviewed at least annually, and the IEP must be revised when the student is not making expected progress, when new evaluation data warrants a change, or when the parent or teacher requests a revision.
What Delaware Requires
Annual goals must be measurable and address disability-related needs to enable progress in the general curriculum (14 Del. Admin. Code 925 § 9.1(b); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(2)).
Delaware requires short-term objectives or benchmarks for ALL students with disabilities — this exceeds the federal baseline, which requires them only for students taking alternate assessments (14 Del. Admin. Code 925 § 9.1(b)).
The IEP must describe how progress toward each annual goal will be measured and the schedule for providing parents with regular progress reports (14 Del. Admin. Code 925 § 9.1(h)).
Parents must be informed of the student's progress toward annual goals at least as frequently as report cards are issued to nondisabled students (14 Del. Admin. Code 925 § 9.1(h); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(3)).
Goals must be revised when the student is not making expected progress or when reevaluation or changed circumstances warrant revision (14 Del. Admin. Code 925 § 11.0).
Key Timelines
Annual goals cover a one-year period and are reviewed at least annually at the IEP meeting (14 Del. Admin. Code 925 § 11.0).
Progress reports on goals must be provided at least as frequently as report cards for nondisabled students (14 Del. Admin. Code 925 § 9.1(h)).
Goals must be revised before the annual review if the student is not making expected progress toward meeting them (14 Del. Admin. Code 925 § 11.0).
Sources
Related IEP Guides
IEP Goals: How to Tell If They're Actually Good (With Examples)
Are your child's IEP goals actually good enough? Real examples of vague vs. strong goals, plus the exact questions to ask at your next meeting.
IEP Goal Progress Monitoring: How to Know If Your Child Is Actually Making Progress
How IEP goal progress is measured, what progress reports should include, what to do when progress stalls, and how to hold schools accountable.
Present Levels (PLAAFP): The IEP Section That Drives Everything Else
The Present Levels section is the foundation of the IEP. Learn what it should include, red flags to watch for, and how to add your voice.