Why is the following goal not considered high-quality? Miles will ask for clarification when directions are unclear in 7 out of 10 opportunities.

• A. Can technically never be met
• B. Overly wordy
• C. Unclear when data should be taken
• D. Skill is already in the student's repertoire

Answer: (C)

A high-quality objective includes a clear plan for when and how data will be collected. The behavior “asks for clarification” is observable, and the condition “when directions are unclear” is workable, with a concrete success target of “in 7 out of 10 opportunities.” The problem is the timing of data collection isn’t defined. Without specifying when to observe and record—what counts as an opportunity, how to determine that directions are unclear, how long the observation period lasts—the measurement can vary between observers or across sessions. That makes the goal unreliable.

To fix this, add a precise data-collection plan, such as: define what counts as an opportunity, specify the context or tasks involved, set the observation window, and outline exactly how you determine that directions are unclear. With those details, the goal becomes measurable and dependable.