10 Effective IEP Goals for Improving Reading Comprehension in Students

10 Effective IEP Goals for Improving Reading Comprehension in Students

As a teacher, you know that reading is the foundation of learning. The ability to read and comprehend what one has read is crucial to academic success. However, not all students have the same level of reading comprehension. For some students, reading comprehension can be particularly challenging. This is where Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) can be an effective way to support students with reading difficulties. Here are 10 effective IEP goals for improving reading comprehension in students:

1. Vocabulary Development

Students who struggle with reading comprehension often have difficulty with vocabulary. Therefore, IEP goals that focus on vocabulary development are essential. Such goals may include explicit instruction in vocabulary words, making connections between new and familiar words, practicing the use of words in context and utilizing graphic organizers.

2. Decoding Skills

Students who struggle with reading may not have sufficient decoding skills necessary to efficiently read words. Consequently, focusing on decoding skills in the IEPs is crucial for them. This could be accomplished by utilizing explicit instruction, providing regular practice with phonics and word analysis, and allowing students to practice sounding out new words.

3. Reading Fluency

Reading fluency is the ability to read words accurately, smoothly, and at a suitable rate. This can be challenging for students with reading difficulties. IEP goals that focus on improving reading fluency should incorporate strategies such as repeated readings, choral readings with a teacher, and buddy reading.

4. Comprehension Strategies

Students with deficient comprehension may find it helpful to practice comprehension strategies explicitly. Some IEP goals may include predicting, questioning, clarifying, summarizing, and recalling main ideas/articles. Students can also be taught to use visual aids to aid comprehension.

5. Visualization

A successful technique for improving reading comprehension is visualization. Visualization involves students creating images in their mind while reading. IEP goals that include this strategy can encourage students to depict and recount what they read, ultimately leading to improved comprehension.

6. Literal Comprehension

Literal comprehension is the ability to understand explicit information described in the text. Students who struggle with this goal may benefit from comprehension instruction, such as reading explicit questions about the text and finding specific information. Paying attention to the text during reading and practicing finding, underlining and highlighting key information, can help students reach this IEP goal.

7. Inferential Comprehension

Inferential comprehension is the ability to understand and interpret implicit information from the text. Students who struggle with this goal may benefit from instruction in predicting, questioning and inferring information from the text. They can learn how to use their knowledge to make informed guesses about what is not being said in the reading material.

8. Critical Thinking

For some students, reading comprehension can be challenging because they lack critical thinking skills. Providing opportunities to practice critical thinking can help these students comprehend texts better. IEP goals should incorporate making inferences from texts and evaluating information critically.

9. Metacognitive Awareness

Metacognitive awareness is the ability to monitor one’s own thinking and learning. Students with a reduced level of reading comprehension may benefit from instruction in metacognitive strategies such as summarizing, visualizing and predicting. In addition, creating a sensory-motor connection with reading materials can help improve memory retention and increase motivation.

10. Self-Monitoring

Self-monitoring refers to the ability to identify and correct errors in one’s reading. IEP goals that incorporate this strategy can help students improve their reading comprehension by teaching them how to monitor their understanding of the material. Students can be taught to use strategies such as re-reading, self-questioning and note-taking to improve their comprehension.

In conclusion, using these IEP goals can significantly improve reading comprehension in students with reading difficulties. With these goals, teachers can adapt teaching methods to focus on individual goals, ultimately leading to greater academic success for the student.