Yes:

45

No:

2

Don't Know:

12

Comments:

Not all VT schools are following through with short-term objectives at this time. They need to be doing this.

I cannot see IEPs working without short-term objectives.

Yes, if my child was unique in his/her disability and the standard IEP format proved ineffective or inappropriate....AND I approved the alternate means.

I don't feel there is much of a difference. This may depend on the teacher/case manager. Some like to have short-term objectives, and some of the new teachers with provisional licenses may need them to maintain the progress of their students.

Clear goals are needed for all parties involved in the education process.

Short term, bench-marks that are specific to the child and not just pulled from the core standards. Bench marks need to say what the child will be doing when they have succeeded, what will we see? Successful so much percent of the time was never a very helpful benchmark for me. I wanted to know what I would see my child doing when she was being successful, when she had mastered a skill.

I personally have not found them particularly useful with my kids, but I can't say for others

My answer is PROBABLY NOT. I guess it would depend on the "alternative means" (which seems too vague a term). If it’s just going to me anecdotal reports, then my answer is ABSOLUTELY NOT.

As a parent I would like to have the choice.

Absolutely! It's easy to let things slip, and takes SO LONG to fix them.

I think this should be an option open to the team if they like but not a requirement

It does mean more paperwork, without real, measurable, and measured objectives, but without this schools cannot be held fully accountable for their responsibilities.

People in general do better when there are clear expectations. Having benchmarks provides those expectations with flexibility built in.

It's much easier to see a progress for parents

I'm disappointed to see the BUSH need to MEASURE! Measure? Give me a break - this angers me. How can you measure a child’s progress when they have so many challenges? Some things are measurable and some are NOT. Please just be sure that what we do in Vermont makes sense!

Yes, but there must be some way of making sure this happens. Rarely, did I receive these progress reports (even when I asked for them).

Children can change overnight. The IEP lasts for like 3 years. A LOT changes in 3 years!!!

Short term objectives keep everyone accountable.

I think that this can really depend on each child as an individual.

YES, short tem goals are critical for all children and parents! It's one of the few parts of the IEP that allow parents to keep track of their child's progress in a consistent way. As a parent I would not want to have to rely on "periodic reports" toward progress annually.

This is critical to the success of an IEP and of the team in general!

Absolutely! Please keep this. For so many parents it is the most meaningful way to follow their child's program.