IEP Goals in Illinois: What Parents Need to Know
What makes an IEP goal measurable in Illinois?
Illinois imposes requirements for IEP goals that exceed the federal baseline. Under 34 CFR 300.320(a)(2), the IEP must include a statement of measurable annual goals, including academic and functional goals, designed to meet the child's needs resulting from the disability and to enable the child to be involved in and make progress in the general education curriculum. Illinois regulation 23 IAC §226.230(a) adds that measurable annual goals must 'reflect consideration of the State Goals for Learning' and the Illinois Learning Standards, grounding each goal in the state's academic framework. Critically, Illinois retains the requirement for benchmarks or short-term objectives for all students with IEPs, not only those taking alternate assessments (23 IAC §226.230(a)). This is a significant departure from the 2004 federal IDEA amendments, which eliminated the benchmarks requirement for most students at the federal level. Each goal on the ISBE form 34-54 must include evaluative criteria, evaluation procedures, and schedules to measure progress toward the annual goal. Goals must be directly derived from the present levels of academic achievement and functional performance, establishing a clear alignment chain: present levels inform goals, goals drive services, and services support progress. For students age 14 1/2 and older, there must be a documented correlation between goals, transition services, and postsecondary outcomes (23 IAC §226.230(b)). When a student requires a behavioral intervention plan, the IEP goals must include measurable behavioral targets with planned behavioral supports, evaluation methods, and review timelines (23 IAC §226.230(b)). The IEP team determines the number of goals based on the child's individual needs, but each goal must address a need identified in the present levels. Goals should describe what the student is reasonably expected to accomplish within a 12-month period when provided with appropriate special education services. Illinois Learning Standards links are published by ISBE to assist IEP teams in aligning goals to state standards.
What Illinois Requires
Measurable annual goals must reflect consideration of the State Goals for Learning and Illinois Learning Standards (23 IAC §226.230(a))
Benchmarks or short-term objectives are required for all students with IEPs in Illinois, not only those on alternate assessments (23 IAC §226.230(a))
Each goal must include evaluative criteria, evaluation procedures, and evaluation schedules to measure progress (ISBE form 34-54 instructions)
Goals must be directly derived from present levels with a documented correlation between performance, goals, and services
Behavioral goals must include measurable behavioral targets, FBA findings, planned strategies, and review schedules (23 IAC §226.230(b))
For students age 14 1/2 and older, goals must connect to transition services and postsecondary outcomes (23 IAC §226.230(c))
Goals must be designed to enable the child to be involved in and make progress in the general education curriculum (34 CFR 300.320(a)(2))
Key Timelines
Annual goals describe what the student is reasonably expected to accomplish within a 12-month period (ISBE guidance)
Goals must be reviewed at least annually at the IEP review meeting (34 CFR 300.324(b))
Progress toward goals must be reported to parents periodically, such as concurrent with report cards (34 CFR 300.320(a)(3))