Writing Measurable Post Secondary Goals

Jane Winstead

Director Transition Services

Tennessee Department of Education

How do I write measurable postsecondary goals? (MPSGs)

• Use results-oriented terms such as “enrolled in”, “work”, “live independently.”

• Use descriptors such as “full time” and “part-time”.

• Consider where the student hopes to be approximately one year after high school.

Do I have to write goals and objectives for MPSGs?

• No. The MPSGs are goals for the student for after high school. You will not need goals sheets specifically for each MPSG.

However…

• You must have annual goals in the IEP that will reasonably enable the student meet their MPSGs.

Measurable Post Secondary GoalsTraining

• Example:

After high school, I/David will enroll full-time in an on-the-job training program.

• Example:

After high school, I/David will enroll full-time in a plumbing apprenticeship program.

Education

• Example:

I/Walter will enroll full-time at a technical college or university.

• Example:

I/Walter will be enrolled full-time at UT Knoxville in the teacher education program.

Employment

Example

After high school, I/Riley will work full-time.

• Example:

After high school, I/Riley will work full-time for a construction company

Independent Living

Example:

• After high school, I/Betsey will live with my parents at home.

• Example:

After high school, I/Betsey will live with adult assistance in a group home.

How do I write MPSGs into EasyIEP?

• Drop boxes are included to ensure the student’s goals for after high school are written in measurable terms. Select the most appropriate option from the drop box.

• In the text box below, write in any specifics that individualize the goal for this student.

After MPSGs are determined:

• Develop a course of study that will reasonably enable the student to meet their MPSGs. (age 14)

• Type into the transition services section, the activities, strategies and services the student will need to reasonably enable the student to meet his/her MPSGs. (age 16)

Finally…

• Make sure MPSGs are based upon age-appropriate transition assessments.

• Include any new/additional transition assessments the student may need as a transition service and indicate the year the assessment will be done and by whom.

• If the student’s MPSGs seem unrealistic – be sure to include in the transition services section or in goal sheets, opportunities for career exploration and further assessments. (see next slide)

Tennessee Career Information and Delivery System (TCIDS)

• http://tcids.tbr.edu/• Online career exploration/awareness• Click audio clip for the material to be read

for the student.• Click ‘want info on a specific job’ to search

the career database.• Click ‘institution questionnaire’ or

‘institution database’ for information re institutes of postsecondary education.