Annual IEP Goals: Employment

EXAMPLES (7.3a – 7.3t, 7.5a – 5d)

7.3a: Example for “John will work in an on-campus part-time job while in college.” (1.3a)

John will be able to report 3 possible occupations for part-time employment, based on the results of career assessments through career counseling with the guidance counselor.
- This annual goal meets I-13 standards for Item #2 for the following reason:
  1. The behavior of assessing job interest is a step in helping John determine jobs in which he would be most successful during college.

7.3b: Nonexample:

John will attend the annual job fair and participate in mock interviews with prospective employers.
- This annual goal does not meet I-13 standards for Item #2 for the following reasons:
  1. While this is an appropriate activity in preparation for employment after high school, it is not relevant to John’s postsecondary goal of working part-time on campus while attending the community college.
  2. This goal statement indicates an activity that John could complete, but does not clearly indicate what knowledge or skill will be developed.

7.3c: Examples for “Allison will obtain a four-year degree from a liberal arts college with major in Child Development” (1.2c) and “after college, Allison will have a career in the field of early childhood education.” (1.3c)

Allison will develop algebra skills, as measured by her homework completion and quiz scores, by using a planner to record assignments, prepare questions for class, and record formulas for study in the Algebra II course during her senior year.
- This goal meets I-13 standards for item #2 for the following reasons:
  1. Developing algebra skills in her Algebra II course is consistent with Allison’s post-secondary goal of attending a four-year liberal arts university
  2. Allison’s employment goal is contingent upon her completion of college, therefore annual goals that support her college completion, also support her employment goal
  3. Allison will demonstrate the organizational skills of using a planner to record her homework assignments for all classes every day and prepare questions for her teachers in English, Spanish, U.S. History, and Chemistry at least once each week for the duration of this IEP.
  4. This goal meets I-13 standards for item #2 for the following reasons:
  5. Improving organizational skills through use of a planner to organize materials for her classes is linked to organizational skills that will also assist Allison at a college.
  6. Use of a planner to prepare questions for her teachers is also logically linked to Allison’s success in planning for meetings with professors to advocate for her needs in the college environment.
  7. Criteria, conditions, and a timeframe for the goal are provided.

7.3c2: Example for “after college, Allison will have a career in the field of early childhood education.” (1.3c)

Allison will describe the similarities and differences of various early childhood careers in a two page essay after conducting four structured interviews of employees in the field of early childhood including (a) a professor, (b) a child care director, and (c) a preschool teacher, during the fall semester of this IEP.
- This annual goal meets I-13 standards for Item #2 for the following reasons:
  1. The behavior of describing aspects of related jobs is a logical step in helping Allison narrow her career path after college.
  2. (This annual goal may also provide Allison with information that help her select courses in college that best prepare for a career in early childhood education.)
  3. The goal statement includes criteria, a timeframe, and is measurable.
  4. The goal statement indicates acquisition of knowledge, through the completion of a series of activities.

7.3e: Example for “upon graduation from high school, Jamarreo will successfully complete welding courses at Central Piedmont Community College to attain the Entry Level Welding Certificate” (1.2e) and “Jamarreo will be a self-employed welder” (1.3e).

Given transportation to Central Piedmont Community College, Jamarreo will achieve mastery (95% or better accuracy) of welding safety skills by completing an orientation course on welding safety by March 15, 2007.

This annual goal meets I-13 standards for Item #2 for the following reason:
1. The annual goal will be accomplished by Jamarreo while in high school to prepare him for successfully completing welding courses at Central Piedmont Community College.
2. This annual goal focuses on skills and knowledge to be mastered, that are measurable.

7.3f: Nonexample:

Given completion of welding coursework, Jamarreo will obtain a full-time job at a welding company by December 2010.
- This annual goal does not meet I-13 standards for Item #2 for the following reason:
  1. The annual goal occurs after graduation.

7.3g: Example for “immediately after graduation, Rolanda will receive job development services from vocational rehabilitation or a community rehabilitation program and will participate in technologically supported self-employment or volunteer work within 1 year of graduation.” (1.3g)

Given a microswitch properly secured to the headrest of her chair, Rolanda will select three activities that she prefers from the school’s work-based curriculum with 90% accuracy by October 15, 2007.
- This annual goal meets standards for I-13 for Item #2 for the following reasons:
  1. The behavior of indicating preferences in the context of employment preparation instruction is a step toward Rolanda’s goal of participating in supported self-employment or volunteer work.
  2. Data from completion of the annual goal may provide Rolanda’s IEP team with information regarding future employment interests for her.
  3. Meeting the goal stated, indicates acquisition of a new skill for Rolanda of accurately making choices from more than one.
  4. The goal statement includes criteria and a timeframe.

7.3h: Nonexample:

Given a Dynavox©, Rolanda will use the device to speak in sentences to her teachers and family members by October, 2007.
- This annual goal does not meet standards for I-13 for item #2 for the following reason:
  1. The behavior cannot logically be demonstrated during the coming year, given Rolanda’s current level of performance and previous instruction in the area of augmentative communication.

7.3i: Example for “the summer after leaving high school, Jodi will obtain a part-time position in a community retail environment.” (1.3i)

Jodi will identify her likes and dislikes of retail employment options by participating in at least 3 retail job shadowing experiences and verbally describing her preferences by April 1, 2007.
- This annual goal meets I-13 standards for Item #2 for the following reasons:
  1. Obtaining employment is the primary focus of this objective.
  2. Participating in a job shadowing experience will help Jodi identify her likes and dislikes about the job and help to ensure that obtaining a part-time position in a the retail environment is the most appropriate option for her upon graduation from high school.
  3. “Identify her likes and dislikes” indicates a skill that can be measured.

7.3j: Nonexample:

Given a bi-weekly paycheck, Jodi will practice banking skills with 95% accuracy by August 1, 2007.

This annual goal does not meet I-13 standards for Item #2 for the following reason:
1. The goal is written as an activity Jodi will participate in after she obtains the job; therefore, it is not considered a step that will help her reach her post-secondary goal of obtaining a part-time retail job.

7.3k: Example for “after finishing high school Alex will increase his work hours in the business department of a local office supply store, contacting XYZ Adult Agency for employment support services.” (1.3k)

Given a list of possible scenarios at work, Alex will learn to distinguish those that require a meeting with his supervisor with 90% or better accuracy on 1 trial/ week for the duration of the IEP.
- This annual goal meets I-13 standards for Item #2 for the following reasons:

7.3l: Nonexample:

Given a work schedule, Alex will practice calculating the hours that he has been assigned to work each week.
- This annual goal does not meet I-13 standards for item #2 for the following reasons:
  1. The statement suggests an activity, rather than a learned skill.

7.3m: Example for the postsecondary employment goal of “after graduation, through the assistance of VR and the staff of the non-degree program, Lissette will obtain part-time employment on campus at MCC, that does not interfere with the schedule for her program there.” (1.3m)

Given a cell phone with pertinent telephone numbers programmed and weekly practice in school and community settings, Lissette will successfully call her boss to communicate important messages in 5 out of 5 role-play scenarios in school and community settings for the duration of this IEP.
- This annual goal meets 1-13 standards for Item #2 for the following reasons:
  1. Preparing for employment is the primary focus of this goal.
  2. Using a telephone successfully is an important skill for a person who will maintain employment.
  3. The goal includes conditions, a timeframe, and a behavior with criterion that are measurable.

7.3n: Nonexample:

Lissette will participate in a variety of activities to prepare her for employment at the community college including public transportation training, telephone skills, safety skills, money skills and social skills.
- This annual goal does not meet I-13 standards for Item #2 for the following reason:
  1. The goal does not indicate conditions, a timeframe, or a behavior with criterion that is measurable.

7.3o: Example for the postsecondary education/training goal of “after graduation, Jeremy will be employed part-time in the community with supports.” (1.3o)

Given staff supervision and school transportation to the sites, Jeremy will rank his preference of career opportunities using a picture symbol rubric through completion of community-based instruction at four different community employment sites for three two-hour sessions every week that school is in session for the duration of this IEP.
- This annual goal meets I-13 standards for Item #2 for the following reasons:
  1. The goal includes activities that will prepare Jeremy for postsecondary employment.
  2. The goal states conditions and a timeframe in which it should be accomplished.
  3. The goal states a measurable behavior and the activities stated are measurable.

7.3p: Nonexample:

Jeremy will attend a job club at school to find out about various employment opportunities available to him after graduation.
- This goal statement does not meet the criteria for I-13 for Item #2 for the following reason:
  1. The goal does not state conditions, a timeframe, or any criterion by which to measure the extent to which Jeremy attends the job club meetings.

7.3q: Example for “after graduation, Paulo will get a job at a grocery store, where he enjoyed a job-shadowing experience during school.” (1.3q)

Given a task analysis for bagging groceries, Paulo will practice the task semi-weekly and complete it without (a) breaking items, (b) ripping bags on 90% of occasions by April 6, 2007.
- This annual goal meets I-13 standards for Item #2 for the following reasons:
  1. Learning to follow the task analysis to bag groceries is a step Paulo will take during high school to help him meet his postsecondary employment goal of getting a job at a grocery store.
  2. The goal statement includes conditions, criteria, and timeframe that are measurable.

7.3r: Nonexample:

Given a list of recreational activities, Paulo will choose the activity that interests him the most 3 out of 4 times by April 6, 2007.
- This annual goal does not meet I-13 standards for Item #2 for the following reason:
  1. Choosing a recreational activity is not an annual goal that will help Paulo obtain a job at a grocery store.

7.3s: Example for “immediately after graduation, Kevin will participate in habilitative and functional skill training through CAP services and will attend Compensatory Education classes 2 times per week at the community college” (1.2s) and “within three months of graduation, Kevin will obtain a supported employment position that allows him to work to his maximum stamina and incorporates the use of assistive technology” (1.3s) and “immediately following graduation, Kevin will participate in 1- 2 age-appropriate community and individual community-based activities per week related to horticulture, socialization with young adults, animals, and music” (1.4l) and “after graduation Kevin will effectively utilize an augmentative communication device at home and in the community that allows familiar and non-familiar individuals to communicate with his regarding needs, wants, and desires” (1.4m).

Given the GoTalk20+ augmentative communication device and weekly community practice, Kevin will independently and accurately use the device to communicate single words to communicate a desire for an item in community settings, including restaurants and ticket counters.
- This example meets I-13 standards for Item #2 for the following reasons:
  1. Kevin is not able to use a GoTalk20+ effectively and learning to do so is a skill that will prepare him to participate in a habilitative and vocational training program, recreational opportunities, and educational opportunities after high school.
  2. Learning to use a GoTalk20+ effectively will prepare Kevin to incorporate assistive technology use in future employment
  3. Similarly, communicating choices will prepare Kevin for the goal of participating in leisure activities that interest him.
  4. Finally, learning to use the GoTalk20+ is a step toward preparing Kevin to communicate more effectively with familiar and non-familiar individuals in various settings.

7.3t: Nonexample:

Kevin will participate in occupational therapy two times each week for 30 minutes each session for the duration of the IEP.
- This goal statement does not meet I-13 standards for Item #2 for the following reason:
  1. Participation in occupational therapy does not indicate what knowledge or skill Kevin is expected to gain during the upcoming year.
  2. While it is likely that participation in speech therapy logically supports his postsecondary education/training goal, because there is no skill noted, it is unclear that there is a link.

7.3s2: Example for “within three months of graduation, Kevin will obtain a supported employment position that allows him to work to his maximum stamina and incorporates the use of assistive technology.” (1.3s)

Kevin will participate in yearlong on-campus vocational preparation, including the following experiences, each for a period of three months, with a frequency of a minimum of two sessions each week, and session duration of one hour per session in the following positions
- This annual goal meets standards for I-13 for Item #2 for the following reasons:

Kevin will gain skills as well needed of employment in these on-campus job experiences.
Data from completion of the annual goal may provide Kevin’s IEP team with information regarding future employment strengths and interests for him.
The goal statement includes specific criteria to attain this goal, including minimum level related to (a) duration of the work experience, (b) frequency of participation, and (c) as well as the duration of each work session.

7.3t2: Nonexample:

Given a GoTalk20+, Kevin will use the device to speak in sentences in the community to speak to familiar listeners including his teachers and family members as well as unfamiliar listeners by October, 2008.
- This annual goal does not meet standards for I-13 for item #2 for the following reason:
  1. Kevin is just learning to use of the GoTalk20+ augmentative communication device in the classroom setting, so this behavior cannot logically be demonstrated during the coming year given Kevin’s current level of performance.

7.5a: Example for “after graduating from high school, Jason will enroll in a four-year college to obtain his undergraduate degree in history and education to become a high school social studies teacher.” (1.5a)

Through participation in the district’s teacher mentor program, Jason will write an essay about his expectations for his future career, including statements of (a) a goal (b) 3 or more negative aspects of teaching, (c) 3 or more positive aspects of teaching and (d) a summary statement of the mentor program experience with 80% or better accuracy in grammar and spelling by March 2008.
- This annual goal meets I-13 standards for Item #2 for the following reasons:

This annual goal supports Jason’s postsecondary goal of becoming a high school teacher.
Writing well and synthesizing information are district standards and align with his postsecondary goal of attending college.
This is a step toward that postsecondary goal that can be completed while in high school.
The annual goal includes a condition, criteria, timeframe, and an observable behavior.

7.5b: Nonexample:

Jason will complete a work study with a local retailer, demonstrating mastery of the job skills and work behaviors, at 90% accuracy by May 2008.
- This annual goal does not meet I-13 standards for Item #2 for the following reason:
  1. This annual goal does not support any part of Jason’s goal to attend college or to become a teacher.

7.5c: Example for “the summer after leaving high school Stephanie will independently ride the bus each work day to her job with Marriot Food Services, where she will participate in classes each year, as offered by her employer, to advance her industrial kitchen skills.” (1.5c)

Given a bus schedule adapted with pictures, Stephanie will select the correct time and stop for five scenarios of activities presented to her with 95% or better accuracy.
- This annual goal meets I-13 standards for Item #2 for the following reasons:
  1. The annual goal logically supports her postsecondary goal with regard to independent use of public transportation.
  2. The goal is measurable.
  3. It is appropriate that Stephanie will learn this skill during high school, in preparation for her postsecondary goal of employment (with training) and employment.

7.5d: Nonexample:

Given a web-based phone book, Stephanie will call movie theaters to determine show times.
- This annual goal does not meet I-13 standards for Item #2 for the following reasons:
  1. The annual goal is not associated with Stephanie’s postschool employment, training, or independent living goals.
  2. The annual focuses on an activity, not an explicit skill or behavior.
  3. No criteria or timeframe are provided.
  4. Given a choice of 3 job training centers in the community, Stephanie will select a center for job training after graduation, based on her interests and needs.
  5. This annual goal does not meet I-13 standards for Item #2 for the following reasons:
  6. It does not seem to logically support Stephanie’s postsecondary goal, in which Stephanie has already identified (and has presumably gained employment) a specific job*.
  7. This goal, as written, is an activity, rather than a learned or mastered skill**.

* Choosing a job training center could be a very appropriate annual goal for a student that might need such services after graduation.

** If this were an appropriate annual goal, it should indicate what Stephanie will learn or master and in a measurable manner (e.g., will accurately identify the center that best matches her interests and needs for employment training, using site visits, staff interviews, and pictures to organize the information and make a decision).

This document was produced under U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs Grant No. H326J050004. Marlene Simon-Burroughs served as the project officer. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the positions or polices of the Department of Education. No official endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education of any product, commodity, service or enterprise mentioned in this publication is intended or should be inferred. This product is public domain. Authorization to reproduce it in whole or in part is granted. While permission to reprint this publication is not necessary, the citation should be: National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center (2007) Indicator 13 Training Materials, Charlotte, NC, NSTTAC.