The Prompt

I am a school-based SLP writing IEP goals. Here is a draft goal that needs to be stronger. Rewrite it to be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Include: the specific behavior being measured, the condition under which it will be measured, the criterion for success (percentage, frequency, or number of opportunities), and the level of support (independent, with visual cues, with verbal prompts, etc.). Preserve the original clinical intent. Do not change what skill is being targeted. Give me 2-3 variations at different support levels so I can choose the best fit for this student.

Why This Works

• Targets the real problem. Most weak goals fail on measurability, not intent. This prompt fixes the measurement without changing the clinical direction.
• Requests variations. Giving 2-3 options at different support levels lets you match the goal to the student’s current functioning.
• Preserves clinical intent. “Do not change what skill is being targeted” prevents the model from substituting a different, easier-to-measure skill.
• Includes all legal components. Behavior, condition, criterion, and support level are the four elements that make a goal legally defensible under IDEA.

Example Input

“Student will improve expressive language skills.”

Example Output

Variation 1 (Minimal support): Given a structured classroom activity, [Student] will produce grammatically correct sentences using age-appropriate syntax (subject-verb-object with embedded clauses) in 80% of opportunities across 3 consecutive data collection sessions, as measured by SLP observation and data tracking.

Variation 2 (Moderate support): Given a visual sentence frame and a structured activity, [Student] will produce 4+ word sentences using correct subject-verb agreement in 70% of opportunities across 3 consecutive sessions, with no more than 1 verbal prompt per trial.

Variation 3 (Maximum support): Given a visual sentence frame, a model sentence, and a structured activity, [Student] will imitate and independently produce 3+ word sentences with correct word order in 60% of opportunities across 3 consecutive sessions.

Pair With

• Writing Goals – the full goal-writing workflow
• Antipattern: The Polished but Unmeasurable Goal – what to watch out for
• Schools setting guide – IEP documentation requirements