Which statement best describes how IEP goals should align with standards?

• A. They should be linked to grade-level standards or essential skills, with modifications and supports as needed.
• B. They should ignore standards and focus exclusively on activities.
• C. They should be identical to a student's previous year's goals.
• D. They should be determined by the student's peers.

Answer: (A)

Aligning IEP goals with grade-level standards or the essential skills those standards expect is what drives meaningful progress in the general curriculum. When goals are tied to these standards, students work toward the same learning targets as their peers, but the path to reaching them is supported by specific modifications and supports—such as scaffolding, adapted materials, assistive technology, or alternate formats—so the content becomes accessible. This keeps instruction focused on the skills that matter across grades and helps ensure that progress data reflect genuine growth toward those standards. If a student needs additional supports, the team can adjust how the standard is approached while still aiming at the same overarching skill, rather than replacing the standard with unrelated tasks. In contrast, goals that ignore standards, simply repeat last year’s goals, or are decided by others without considering the individual student’s needs do not promote coherent, progress-driven education.