4.3.2 Academic & Functional Goals

The IEP must include a statement of the student’s present levels of academic achievement and functional performance and a statement of the student’s measurable annual academic and functional goals.1  Functional goals are those that address needs in areas outside of traditional academic subjects. For example, a student in special education might have goals, also referred to as Instructional Plans, in areas such as Communication, Behavior, Social, Self-Help, Adaptive Physical Education, and Fine Motor Skills to address needs in those areas in addition to goals in traditional academic subjects. There must also be a description of how the team will measure progress towards meeting the student’s annual goals through periodic reports such as quarterly progress reports.2

• 120 U.S.C. § 1414(d)(1)(A)(i)(II); La. Bulletin 1706 § 320(A)(1)–(2).
• 220 U.S.C. § 1414(d)(1)(A)(i)(III); La. Bulletin 1706 § 320(A)(3).