In an intervention, what is a critical first step in goal-setting for students?

Setting effective goals for student intervention begins with clarifying student strengths and weaknesses. Understanding a student's current capabilities helps to create targeted, individualized goals that consider their unique profile. By identifying what a student excels at and where they struggle, educators can tailor interventions that build on strengths while addressing specific areas of need. This personalized approach fosters a more engaging and relevant learning experience, likely leading to better outcomes.

While establishing baseline performance metrics is also important, it follows the identification of strengths and weaknesses since baseline data will inform and validate the specific areas that need improvement. Similarly, understanding student engagement levels can inform the development of strategies, but it does not directly guide the goal-setting process itself. Determining resource allocation is necessary for implementation, but it comes after goals are established, rather than being a foundational first step in the goal-setting process. Recognizing the student's strengths and weaknesses lays the groundwork for all subsequent steps in effective intervention planning.