Quality of individualised education programme goals and objectives for preschool children with disabilities

Abstract

Individualised education programmes (IEPs) are the road maps for individualising services for children with disabilities, specifically through the development of high-quality child goals/objectives. High-quality IEP goals/objectives that are developed based on a comprehensive assessment of child functioning and directly connected to intervention and evaluation activities are more likely to support the individualisation of services and as a result, child development and learning. High-quality goals/objectives allow professionals or other caregivers to know what to teach, when to teach and where to teach. The purpose of this study was to examine the quality of IEP goals/objectives developed for preschool children with disabilities in Turkey. A total of 2235 IEP goals/objectives developed for 100 preschool children with disabilities were rated using Goal Functionality Scale III and IEP/Individualised Family Service Plan Goals and Objectives Rating Instrument. Results indicate that the overall quality of IEP goals/objectives for preschool children with disabilities is generally poor. Moreover, the quality of IEP goals/objectives does not vary based on child's age, disability status and developmental domain. Consistent and systematic low quality of goals and objectives across IEPs, age levels, disability status and developmental domains warrants the development of clear guidelines for professionals to use while writing IEP goals/objectives for young children with disabilities. Both pre- and in-service teacher training programmes should emphasise how to write high-quality IEP goals/objectives that can guide the individualisation of instruction, intervention and other services based on the unique needs of each and every child.