Research-Backed Insights
Evidence Shows We Help Educators:
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Write Data-Driven Present Levels
Educators' use of Goalbook Toolkit is positively associated with higher-quality Present Levels statements.
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Develop High-Quality Goals
Goals written with Goalbook Toolkit contain 2.5x more information for planning and measuring student success than other methods.
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Implement Effective Instruction
Use of Goalbook Toolkit supported with a structured coaching plan significantly enhances instructional differentiation.
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Improve Educator Effectiveness
Goalbook Toolkit helps educators identify present levels, write standards-aligned IEP goals, and use effective UDL strategies.
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Enhance Collaboration
Studies show that Goalbook Toolkit improves collaboration between service providers and educators.
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Increase Student Outcomes
Research shows a significant positive correlation between Goalbook Toolkit usage and improved student academic performance.
These findings affirm Goalbook's commitment to advancing educational practices and achieving measurable success in diverse learning environments.
Relationship Between Quality of Individualized Education Plan Goals and Student Learning
This study, conducted by the University of Missouri College of Education, examined the systematic relationship between the quality of Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP), the quality of subsequent Individualized Education Plan goals, and their influence on student academic growth in core areas. The study also evaluated the predictive role of special educator characteristics and educators’ use of Goalbook Toolkit on student outcomes.
- Special educators who used Goalbook Toolkit showed higher average scores for both IEP goal quality and Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP) quality compared to those who did not use Goalbook Toolkit.
- Descriptive statistics indicated that students whose special educators utilized Goalbook Toolkit had higher average growth in reading and math.
- The use of Goalbook Toolkit by special educators predicted additional variance in combined student growth in reading and math outcomes, suggesting a potential positive relationship between the Goalbook Toolkit implementation and student success.
Goalbook Toolkit Across North Dakota
This mixed methods study was conducted as part of the pilot year for North Dakota Department of Public Instruction’s (NDDPI) implementation of Goalbook Toolkit across 19 initial pilot districts in 2024-25, which expanded to a full-statewide implementation of Goalbook Toolkit in 2025-26. This descriptive, mixed-methods study, explored the relationship between Goalbook usage and special educator self-efficacy across key areas of instructional practice, job satisfaction, and retention. This study included data from special educator interviews as well as special educator surveys.
- Goalbook Toolkit has demonstrated significant value for educators, streamlining the complex process of IEP goal creation, documentation, and progress monitoring across multiple educational levels and special education disciplines.
- Over the course of the academic year, special educators reported encouraging gains in several areas that directly influence instructional quality and job satisfaction. North Dakota special educators’ commitment to stay in the profession strengthened—fewer planned to leave and interest in switching schools or student groups remained modest.
- Professional-learning activities, aligned with Goalbook Toolkit usage, helped educators draft richer present-level statements, align goals with standards, and create more effective progress-monitoring systems.
Examining the Impact of Goalbook On Special Education Teachers’ Retention
This study, conducted by University of North Carolina at Greensboro SERVE Center, examined the relationship between special educators' access to Goalbook Toolkit and special educator retention.
- A statistically significant positive association between Goalbook Toolkit access and retention for novice teachers.
- A 9.1 percentage point increase in district retention and an 8.2 percentage point increase in retention within the state for novice teachers with access to Goalbook Toolkit.
Goalbook Toolkit Usage and Its Relation to Student Achievement In One Texas Public School District
This study leveraged Goalbook Toolkit usage data and district data from school year 2022–23 to examine the relationship between educator usage of Goalbook Toolkit and student literacy outcomes.
- Regular (weekly) usage of Goalbook Toolkit was associated with significantly higher reading achievement for particular student subgroups.
- Examining multiple measures of Goalbook usage, higher quartiles of usage (compared to the lowest quartile) were associated with higher MAP Growth scores and any usage (compared to no usage) was associated with higher state assessment scores.
Goalbook Toolkit Usage and Its Relation to Student Achievement In One Charter Network
This multi-state analysis leveraged Goalbook Toolkit usage data and data from 68 schools across three states from the 2022–23 school year to examine the relationship between educator usage of Goalbook Toolkit and student literacy outcomes.
- Regular (weekly) Goalbook Toolkit usage was associated with significantly higher reading achievement for students in one of three states in the study (Ohio).
- Examining multiple measures of Goalbook usage, higher quartiles of usage (compared to the lowest quartile) were associated with higher MAP Growth scores.
Goalbook Toolkit in Prince George’s County Public Schools
This study, conducted by Empirical Education, leveraged Goalbook Toolkit usage data and school district data from 2021-22 to explore the impact of Goalbook Toolkit usage on student literacy outcomes.
- Strong evidence that Goalbook Toolkit usage is positively associated with student outcomes across grades 6-8.
- A positive association between the frequency of Goalbook Toolkit use and student outcomes on the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) reading test.
- Weekly usage of Goalbook Toolkit predicted a 9-percentile gain in student reading assessment scores.
- Significant positive impacts on student reading outcomes were observed when special educators used the Goalbook Toolkit at least weekly.
A Study of Educator Attitudes and Beliefs and Goalbook Toolkit Usage
This mixed methods study explored the relationship between Goalbook usage and special educator self-efficacy across key areas of instructional practice, job satisfaction, and retention.
- Educators with the highest usage of Goalbook Toolkit showed significantly more growth in self-efficacy ratings across all areas of practice compared to those in the lowest quartile of usage.
- 87% of educators reported they are extremely likely or somewhat likely to stay in their current position for the next two years.
Impact of Goalbook Toolkit
This study, conducted by University of North Carolina at Greensboro SERVE Center, examined the impact of Goalbook Toolkit access on student outcomes in North Carolina schools using a quasi-experimental design.
- Special educators' access to Goalbook Toolkit led to statistically significant higher reading scores for students with special needs compared to similar students in districts without access.
- Overall, students with special needs had a 0.07 standard deviation increase in reading scores, moving from the 50th to the 53rd percentile.
- Year 2 findings showed increased gains from year 1, suggesting that student improvements may grow over time with continued use of Goalbook Toolkit.
The Relationship Between Quality of the Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance Statement and Student Learning
This study, conducted by the University of Missouri College of Education, examined the relationship between the quality of Present Levels statements and student achievement. Data from 211 special education teachers across 23 school districts in Missouri were analyzed.
- Educators' usage of Goalbook Toolkit resources was positively associated with higher-quality Present Levels statements.
- Higher-quality Present Levels statements were linked to increased student achievement outcomes in reading and math for students in grades 1–11.
Inquiry of Goalbook Implementation
This study, conducted by Goalbook's internal Research team, was a year 1 evaluation of Goalbook Toolkit implementation at Earlywood Educational Services of Indiana and explored how special educators utilized Goalbook Toolkit to enhance their instructional practices and support students with special needs.
- Teachers' levels of efficacy increased across all practice areas, with the most significant improvements in using Goalbook Toolkit for instructional planning (28%) and creating standards-aligned goals (16%).
- Teacher's levels of efficacy increased 12% for unpacking standards and creating measurable goals.
Practicing Teachers’ Use of an Online Resource Tool for IEP Goal Writing and Instructional Support
This study explored special educators' views on utilizing Goalbook Toolkit for IEP goal writing and professional learning. The research was conducted in a large urban district in the Pacific Northwest, and surveys and interviews were used to gather data.
- Goalbook Toolkit significantly increased educator efficiency and efficacy in creating standards-aligned, measurable IEP goals.
- Goalbook Toolkit enhanced practices in planning and co-planning instruction using research-based universal strategies.
- Educators reported improved effectiveness in addressing diverse student needs with the support of Goalbook Toolkit.
WestEd Studies How Goalbook Increases Effective Collaboration for Related Service Providers
This study, conducted by WestEd, investigated how Goalbook Toolkit's resources impact collaboration among related service providers and educators.
- Goalbook tools and resources significantly improved collaboration between related service providers and teachers.
- Enhanced collaboration led to more effective instructional practices on school campuses.
- Positive outcomes for students were observed as a result of increased teamwork among educators.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Instructional Impact Study
This study, conducted by WestEd, explored the use of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework is used to design instruction and facilitate differentiated lesson planning supported through a co-learning cycle with instructional coaches in D.C. Public Schools.
- Integration of Goalbook's UDL-rubric and Goalbook Toolkit in a structured coaching plan significantly enhanced instructional differentiation.
- Teachers' instructional planning and delivery improved with targeted UDL training and support.
- The co-learning cycle with instructional coaches facilitated more effective use of the UDL framework.
Goalbook Case Study
In this study, conducted by San Francisco State University, researchers evaluated how Goalbook supports student teachers in crafting personalized learning goals.
- Goals developed with Goalbook Toolkit provide 2.5 times more detail for planning and assessing individual student success.
- The enhanced specificity in goals improved the effectiveness of instructional planning and measurement.
We're Rooted in Research and Committed to Evidence-Based Practices
From utilizing insights from our own studies to leveraging research-based frameworks like Universal Design for Learning, The Center for Applied Special Technologies (CAST) and the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), all of our work is informed by research. We're proud that we have earned the following endorsement and certification as a result.
Goalbook Toolkit is officially endorsed by the Council of Administrators for Special Education (CASE). The endorsement confirms Goalbook Toolkit is an evidence-based tool and is effective in improving teacher efficacy and student outcomes.
Goalbook Toolkit earned a certification as a Research-Based Design Product, using the rigorous criteria and competencies developed by Digital Promise. Goalbook Toolkit met the standards of research and evidence, aligned to the federal Every Student Succeeds Act.