MAPS™
School-based IEP goal writing
- MMeasurable, observable in the school day
- AAcademic routine, where it happens
- PParticipation, what it enables
- SSchool environment, supports and context
What it solves
MAPS is the four-question test for a school-based PT goal before it goes into an IEP. It keeps goals educationally defensible instead of drifting into impairment-only language.
When to use it
Run every draft IEP goal through MAPS before the meeting, and use it to explain to the team why a goal does or does not belong in the plan.
In practice
During daily lunch transitions, the student will ambulate from the cafeteria to the classroom using a front-wheeled walker, covering 150 feet with no more than one verbal cue, to independently access classroom instruction.
Ask the four questions of any goal: can you see or count it during the school day, where does it happen, what does it let the student do, and what supports are involved? Goals that pass MAPS are defensible; goals that fail it, like improve strength or normalize gait, usually belong in a medical setting.
MAPS™ is one of 14 frameworks in the Playbook
Read the full treatment in Chapter 9 of the Pediatric PT Playbook (Writing and Understanding IEP Goals), with the cases, scripts, and documentation to match.
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