How to Write an Effective IEP: Goals, Examples, and Best Practices
Creating an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is one of the most important responsibilities in special education. IEPs must be individualized to the student’s disability and compliant with state and federal regulations, while also serving as a teaching tool to support the student’s growth. For many educators and administrators, however, the IEP process can feel overwhelming due to time constraints, complex requirements, and disconnected systems.
In this guide, we break down how to draft an effective IEP, share clear IEP goal examples, and outline best practices for creating and managing IEPs in a way that supports both students and student support teams. This content is intended as a general drafting guide only. IEP requirements and processes vary by school, district, and state, and educators must always follow their local policies, procedures, and legal guidelines to ensure full compliance.
What Is an IEP?
An IEP, or Individualized Education Program, is a legally required, written plan developed for students who qualify for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It outlines the student’s specific learning needs, goals, accommodations, services, and how progress will be measured to ensure access to a free appropriate public education (FAPE).
The purpose of an IEP is to ensure that students with disabilities receive the specialized instruction, related services, and modifications/accommodations they need to achieve adequate progress in school.
An IEP is designed to be a personalized roadmap that outlines specific goals, specialized instruction, accommodations, and services, to help them succeed in their education. A well written IEP should:
What Must Be Included in an IEP?
While specific requirements vary by state and district (notably, timelines and required documentation), most IEPs include the following components:
Each section plays an important role in ensuring that the IEP is meaningful, compliant, and actionable.
How to Write an IEP Step by Step
Writing an effective IEP requires a structured approach grounded in data and collaboration. The steps below provide a practical framework.
1. Review Evaluation and Assessment Data
Start by reviewing all available data, including:
This information helps ensure that IEP decisions are evidence-based and tailored to the students’ needs.
2. Define Present Levels of Performance (PLAAFP)
The PLAAFP describes how the student is currently performing academically, behaviorally, and functionally.
Strong PLAAFP statements:
Example PLAAFP statement:
The student currently reads at a mid-second-grade level and demonstrates difficulty answering inferential questions in grade-level texts.
3. Write Measurable IEP Goals
IEP goals are one of the most important components of the plan and one of the most common areas where teams struggle.
Effective IEP goals should be:
In addition, goals should be individualized and directly address the needs identified in the PLAAFP and include clear criteria for measuring progress.
IEP Goals Examples
Below are examples of measurable IEP goals across common focus areas.
Academic IEP Goal Example (Reading)
By the end of the school year, Student will read middle of the second-grade level text and demonstrate ability to answer 5 inferential questions in grade level texts.
Math IEP Goal Example
Given multi-step word problems, the student will accurately solve problems involving addition and subtraction with 85 percent accuracy in four out of five trials.
Behavioral IEP Goal Example
The student will reduce classroom disruptions by using appropriate self-regulation strategies, decreasing incidents from five per day to no more than one per day over a six-week period.
Communication IEP Goal Example
During structured classroom discussions, the student will initiate appropriate verbal responses at least three times per session in four out of five observed sessions.
4. Select Accommodations and Services
IEP accommodations help students access IEP accommodations and modifications help the student access the general education curriculum.
Common accommodations include:
Services should clearly specify:
Clear documentation helps ensure consistency and accountability.
5. Plan for Progress Reporting
Progress reporting ensures that IEP goals are being addressed throughout the year, not just at annual reviews.
Best practices for progress reporting include:
Consistent progress reporting supports instructional decisions and helps teams make timely adjustments.
Common IEP Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced teams can encounter challenges. Some common IEP mistakes include:
Avoiding these issues helps improve both compliance and student outcomes.
Best Practices for Writing and Managing IEPs
Writing an effective IEP takes more than completing required sections. Strong IEPs are built on clear data, measurable goals, and consistent follow-through. When present levels are specific, goals align with student needs, and progress is monitored regularly, IEPs become practical tools that guide individualized instruction.
Following a structured approach to IEP writing also helps educators avoid common issues such as unclear goals or inconsistent tracking. Clear processes make it easier for educators, administrators, and support staff to stay aligned and confident in their work.
IEPs play a critical role in supporting student learning and meeting legal requirements. Using best practices for IEP creation and management helps teams improve outcomes while reducing stress and administrative burden.
How Medley Supports Better IEP Creation and Management
For school districts looking to simplify the IEP process, Medley is a modern IEP creation and management software by Relay. Medley was designed with direct input from special education professionals and reflects how teams actually work across referral, eligibility, and plan development.
Medley guides users through each step of the IEP process with intuitive workflows and built-in support, helping teams stay organized and compliant. Instead of managing documents, spreadsheets, and reminders across multiple tools, everything lives in one centralized solution.
With Medley, teams can:
Medley also includes step-by-step onboarding and ongoing support from professionals who understand special education workflows. By reducing administrative complexity, Medley helps educators spend less time on paperwork and more time supporting students.