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