Measurable Behavioral Objectives

"A complete behavioral objective will:
a. Identify the learner [the child/participant];
b. Identify the target behavior;
c. Identify the conditions under which the behavior is to be performed (using words such as "when" and "in"); and,
d. Identify criteria for acceptable performance".
Idaho Intensive Behavioral Interventions Student Manual from the Idaho Training Cooperative
*Criteria for acceptable performance should increase for mastery, a demonstration of a consistent level over time.

In other words:
Who, What, When/How and How
Who: Who is the learner?
What: What do you want this person to DO
When/How: When or how will the person know that it is time to DO the behavior. This could be a natural cue, such as a school bell or getting up in the morning, it could be a verbal cue or almost any other type of appropriate cue.
How: How will you AND OTHERS observing, know that the behavior has been accomplished.

Do not use words like: try or understand. There will be a long list of additional words not to use in the comments section.

Note: Operational definitions are often required for clarity and consistency.
Note: Specific, clearly defined reinforcements/consequences (appropriate to the child/participant and situation) are usually paired with a well written measurable behavioral objective. (Sometimes reinforcements/consequences can produce unintentional consequences, reinforcing something other than or in addition to the target behavior.) Often successive approximations are preferable and helpful with the exception of safety issues.
These are not easy to write. Please leave comments and additional questions.

Please leave comments here about examples of unintentional reinforcement

Now for an example:
1.Pete will instruct the group (all you folks) {a.} how to write a measurable behavioral objective
{b.} when ever (100% of the time) {d} anyone from the group (all you folks) writes a plan for a child or an adult {c to include the previous "when"}.
(Measurable is defined as having both validity and reliability across time, location and people (observing and recording data). A Behavioral Objective requires all four components listed previously.

Note:
Typically, well written goals, objectives and plans will contain time lines, which may or may not be the same. eg. the time line or expected completion date of an objective may come before the expected date of completion for the overall goal.

Click here to continue with this information: Measurable Behavioral Objectives Critiques