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Effective 2nd Grade Math Goals

Updated: Aug 25, 2022


You're a 2nd grade teacher and you want to make sure that your students are making progress in their math skills. You know that Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) can be a helpful tool in setting and tracking goals for your students. However, you're not quite sure how to write effective IEP goals for 2nd grade math.


Don't worry, we're here to help! TeachTastic has surveyed teachers about their IEP goals for 2nd grade math, and we've compiled a list of the top 5 IEP math goals for 2nd grade. We'll explain why these goals are important, and how to write an effective 2nd grade math IEP Goal.


One of the biggest challenges that people face when writing IEP goals is knowing how to create signal category measurable goals. This means that your goal should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound. A good way to remember this is the SMART goal acronym.


How to write an effective 2nd grade math IEP goal

Let's take a look at an example of a bad IEP goal, and then see how we can make it into a SMART goal.


Bad IEP Goal:

The student will improve their math skills.


This goal is too vague and it's not clear how it will be measured. It's also not clear if the goal is realistic or achievable. A good IEP goal should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound.


Here's how we can make this goal into a SMART goal:

The student will improve their math skills by correctly solving 10 addition problems with regrouping within 3 minutes by date XYZ as measured by student work samples.


This goal is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. It's also clear how we will measure the goal, which is important in order to track the student's progress.


Now that we know how to write a SMART goal, let's take a look at the top 5 IEP math goals for 2nd grade.


It can be difficult to know which IEP goal to choose when there are so many skill gaps that need to be filled. This article will provide guidance on choosing the best IEP goals for 2nd grade math, as well as explain why these goals are the most important ones to focus on.


What is the top IEP math goal for 2nd grade?

Single-digit sums and differences (sums from memory by end of Grade 2)


Fluency based IEP goal - By (date), when given problems with single digit numbers, the student will add and subtract sums using only mental strategies, improving operations and algebraic thinking skills from 0/10 work samples out of ten consecutive trials to 8/10 work samples in ten consecutive trials.


However, it can be argued that adding/subtracting within 100 is the number one goal for special education students who might have greater difficulties with fluency and memorization. With this in mind, it will be declared a tie. The teacher will be able to choose what works best for each student independently.


Standards based IEP goal - By (date), when given problems with addition, the student will fluently add within 100 using strategies based on place value, properties of operations, improving number and operations in base ten skills from 0/10 work samples out of ten consecutive trials to 8/10 work samples in ten consecutive trials.


4 Popular Math IEP Goals for 2nd Grade

By (date), when given problems with addition - two digits, the student will add two-digit numbers with regrouping - sums to 100, improving number and operations in base ten skills from 0/10 problems out of ten consecutive trials to 8/10 problems in ten consecutive trials.


By (date), when given problems with subtraction - two digits, the student will subtract a one-digit number from a two-digit number - without regrouping, improving number and operations in base ten skills from 0/10 problems out of ten consecutive trials to 8/10 problems in ten consecutive trials.


By (date), when given problems with subtraction - two digits, the student will subtract two two-digit numbers - with regrouping, improving number and operations in base ten skills from 0/10 problems out of ten consecutive trials to 8/10 problems in ten consecutive trials.


By (date), when given problems with subtraction - two digits, the student will subtract a one-digit number from a two-digit number - with regrouping, improving number and operations in base ten skills from 0/10 problems out of ten consecutive trials to 8/10 problems in ten consecutive trials.


Why are these IEP goals most important for 2nd grade math?

As any parent or teacher knows, 2nd grade is an important year for math. That's because it's the year when students solidify the core skills that they will need for success in the rest of their math education. That's why teachers place such an emphasis on addition, subtraction, place value, and fluency.


These skills form the foundation upon which all future math learning will be built. And while some students may find 2nd grade math to be challenging, with a little practice and perseverance, anyone can master these essential skills.


For special education students with learning disabilities, it is especially crucial to align goals to what matters most. That's why these IEP goals focus on the most essential skills for success in 2nd grade math.

Other Helpful Links You Might Like

Additional IEP Goal Resources for Second Grade

TeachTastic's IEP goal bank is a great resource for teachers, parents, and students. It provides guidance on choosing the best IEP goals for 2nd grade math and explains why these goals are the most important ones to focus on.

Thanks so much for reading!


We hope you'll consider shopping our IEP goal workbooks targeting major 2nd grade learning targets. Our workbooks are designed to help students learn and retain essential information. Plus, they're affordable and easy to use.


So why wait?


Shop today and see the difference our workbooks can make in your student's IEP goal progress.


Thanks again for reading!

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