SMART Targets Checklist for SEN in Irish Schools
A printable checklist to help Irish primary and post-primary teachers write quality SMART targets for students with special educational needs. Covers all five SMART criteria with good/bad examples, approved action verbs from official guidelines, collaboration checks, and review planning. Aligned with the Guidelines for Primary Schools (2024) and NEPS Continuum of Support framework.
What's Included
- Pre-writing readiness check (baseline data, priority needs, NEPS area)
- SMART quality verification for all 5 criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)
- Good vs bad target examples for each SMART criterion
- Conditions of performance and success criteria checklist
- Collaboration checklist (parent input, child's voice, team agreement)
- Review planning section (dates, monitoring method, data collection)
- Quick-reference list of approved observable action verbs
- Fully worked example SMART target with Irish SEN context
- All 10 NEPS need areas reference list
How to Use This Template
- 1Download and print the checklist (A4, single or double-sided)
- 2Use it alongside your Student Support Plan or Personal Pupil Plan template
- 3Before writing each SMART target, complete the "Before You Write" section
- 4Work through each SMART criterion checkbox to verify target quality
- 5Check the conditions of performance and success criteria sections
- 6Confirm collaboration items are complete (parent input, child's voice)
- 7Set your review date and monitoring plan in the final section
- 8Keep a copy in your SEN folder for reference during review meetings
Frequently Asked Questions
What does SMART stand for in SEN target setting?
SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable (or Agreed), Relevant (or Realistic), and Time-bound. In the Irish SEN context, the Guidelines for Primary Schools (2024) and NEPS framework use SMART targets to ensure student support plans have clear, trackable goals that can be reviewed every 6-8 weeks.
How many SMART targets should a student have?
The NEPS guidelines recommend 1-3 priority learning needs per support plan cycle. Each priority need should have one well-written SMART target. Having too many targets can dilute focus - it is better to have 2-3 excellent targets than 6-8 vague ones.
What action verbs should I use in SMART targets?
Use observable, measurable verbs such as: name, write, match, differentiate, recite, identify, find, list, classify, order, compare, describe, construct, and demonstrate. Avoid vague verbs like "understand", "know", "appreciate", or "be aware of" as these cannot be observed or measured.
How often should SMART targets be reviewed?
The NEPS Continuum of Support recommends review cycles of 6-8 weeks, with formal reviews at least twice per year aligned with school terms. The EPSEN Act 2004 requires IEP review not less than once a year, but best practice is more frequent monitoring.
Is this checklist suitable for post-primary schools?
Yes. The SMART target-writing principles are the same across primary and post-primary settings. This checklist is aligned with both the Guidelines for Primary Schools (2024) and the Guidelines for Post-Primary Schools (2017).
How does this checklist relate to the NEPS need areas?
The checklist prompts you to link each target to one of the 10 NEPS need areas: Literacy, Numeracy, Language & Communication, Social & Emotional, Sensory, Physical/Motor, Attention & Concentration, Executive Function, Behaviour, and Self-Care/Independence. This ensures targets are relevant and aligned with the Continuum of Support framework.
Is this checklist free to use?
Yes, this checklist is completely free to download, print, and use in your school. It is provided by SENScribe to support Irish teachers with quality SMART target writing for SEN documentation.
SMART Targets Checklist for...
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