Decoding Goal Guide
IEP Reading Goal & Benchmark Plan
Area of Need: Phonics, Decoding & Word Recognition
IDEA Compliant SMART Goal
Annual Review Cycle: 2026–2027
Student Name ___________________
Grade / Placement Grade ____ | Resource Rm
Case Manager ___________________
Baseline Date November 5, 2026
Present Level of Academic Achievement & Baseline Data (PLAAFP) Current Baseline: 60% Accuracy
When presented with an unfamiliar list of 20 single-syllable phonetically regular words containing consonant blends and digraphs, the student currently blends and decodes with an average of 12/20 words correct (60% accuracy) over three trials. Errors primarily involve vowel sound confusions, omitting interior blend phonemes (e.g., reading slip as sip), and difficulty segmenting two-syllable compound words.
Measurable Annual Reading Goal (36-Week Target)
By November 2027, when given an unfamiliar grade-level list of 20 decodable words containing targeted phonetic structures (consonant blends, digraphs, vowel-consonant-e patterns, vowel teams, and regular 2-syllable words), the student will independently decode each word with at least 85% accuracy (at least 17/20 words correct) across 3 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by teacher-recorded decoding curriculum-based measures (CBM).
Progressive Quarterly Benchmark Objectives
Sequential skill acquisition toward annual goal
Q1 Benchmark (Wk 9) Target: 80%
Initial & Final Blends and Digraphs
Given 15 unfamiliar words featuring short vowels with initial/final blends (cl-, st-, -nd, -mp) and digraphs (sh, ch, th, wh, ck), the student will decode with 80% accuracy (12/15 words) across 3 consecutive weekly probes.
Q2 Benchmark (Wk 18) Target: 80%
Silent E / VCe Long Vowel Patterns
Given 15 unfamiliar single-syllable words following the VCe pattern (a_e, i_e, o_e, u_e), the student will accurately apply the silent-e rule to decode with 80% accuracy (12/15 words) across 3 consecutive weekly probes.
Q3 Benchmark (Wk 27) Target: 85%
Common Vowel Teams & Diphthongs
Given 15 unfamiliar words containing high-frequency vowel teams (ai, ay, ee, ea, oa, oi, oy, ou, ow), the student will isolate and blend vowel sounds to decode with 85% accuracy (13/15 words) across 3 consecutive probes.
Q4 Benchmark (Wk 36) Target: 85%
Two-Syllable Words & Affixes
Given 20 unfamiliar two-syllable decodable words (closed + closed, VCe compound, and base words with -ing, -ed, -est), the student will syllabicate and decode with 85% accuracy (17/20 words) across 3 consecutive probes.
Evaluation Methodology & Schedule
- • Frequency: Administered bi-weekly (or weekly during targeted intervention cycles).
- • Format: 1:1 untimed word list presentation (student copy + teacher recording sheet).
- • Mastery Standard: Sustained ≥85% accuracy on 3 consecutive assessments.
Approved IEP Accommodations for Testing
- • Visual tracking window or blank card to isolate lines/words.
- • Multisensory tap-and-blend or scoop strategy permitted prior to response.
- • Self-corrections within 3 seconds scored as correct.
Special Education Department | IDEA CFR § 300.320 Measurable Annual Goals
Teacher Signature: ____________________ Date: ________
Decoding Progress Tracker
Decoding Progress Tracker
Special Education Data Sheet | Phonics & Word Recognition
Target: 85% Accuracy (3 Trials)
Frequency: Bi-Weekly / Weekly
Student Name _____________________
Current Focus Blends / VCe / Vowel Teams
Baseline Accuracy 60% (12 / 20 Words)
Target Goal Line 85% (17 / 20 Words)
Error Coding Key:
SC Self-Correct (≤3s) SUB Substitution OM Omission INS Insertion NR No Response
| # |
Date |
Phonics Skill / Probe Type |
Total |
Correct |
Errors |
Acc % |
≥85%? |
Primary Error Pattern / Qualitative Notes |
| BL |
11/05/26 |
Short Vowels + Blends |
20 |
12 |
8 |
60% |
No |
Omitted initial blend sounds (spot→pot); /e/ vs /i/ confusion |
| 1 |
____/____ |
|
20 |
|
|
____% |
[ ]Y [ ]N |
|
| 2 |
____/____ |
|
20 |
|
|
____% |
[ ]Y [ ]N |
|
| 3 |
____/____ |
|
20 |
|
|
____% |
[ ]Y [ ]N |
|
| 4 |
____/____ |
|
20 |
|
|
____% |
[ ]Y [ ]N |
|
| 5 |
____/____ |
|
20 |
|
|
____% |
[ ]Y [ ]N |
|
| 6 |
____/____ |
|
20 |
|
|
____% |
[ ]Y [ ]N |
|
| 7 |
____/____ |
|
20 |
|
|
____% |
[ ]Y [ ]N |
|
Visual Progress Monitoring Graph (% Accuracy)
Baseline (60%) Mastery Goal (85%)
100% 85% 70% 60% 50% 40%
GOAL: 85%
BASELINE: 60%
BL P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7
Observed Phonetic Error Patterns
Initial Blends Silent E (VCe) Final Blends Vowel Teams Digraphs (sh/th/ch) 2-Syllable Chunking Short Vowel Confusion (circle: a / e / i / o / u)
Instructional Adjustment / Next Steps
If 3 consecutive data points fall below the aimline:
Increase multisensory sound-tapping / Elkonin boxes
Step back to previous benchmark prerequisite skill
Increase targeted intervention dosage (e.g., +15 min/wk)
Data Collection Tool | Standardized Phonics CBM Protocol
Examiner Initials: ________ IEP Progress Report Period: [ ] Q1 [ ] Q2 [ ] Q3 [ ] Q4
