Every goal follows the same four steps, and that structure is what makes it hold up. You answer plain questions, and Blume writes the clinical part. Here they are for Ava, an example student.
A PDF with your name on it, and the data behind every figure.
The Blume Method, from Allan Blume's 45+ years in special education. Trusted by 75+ districts.
An example case study
Meet Ava.
Ava is in grade 3, and finding the main idea of what she reads is hard for her. She's our example student, so we'll follow her through all four steps, from a vague goal to a goal achieved, and a report you'd be proud to share.
1
Step 1: Establish a baseline
Where is the student today?
Progress only means something when you know where the student began.
Before BlumeAva struggles to find the main idea.
A starting point30%
accuracy finding the main idea
The baseline, as Blume writes itIt was documented that, on identification of the main idea, Ava averaged 30% accuracy.
Why it matters
The goal, the milestones and every report are measured against this number. Build it from data gathered over time, not from an impression, and the target comes after it, never before.
How Blume does it
Choose a skill from a library of hundreds, then start from whichever fits:
The data you already have, and how you collected it
The observations already in Blume for that skill
No data yet? A few observations planned on your calendar, one each school day
Does your goal have all 7? Leave a part out, and it's harder to measure and harder to defend. Answer a few prompts, and Blume writes all 7 as you go, with no blank page and no guessing what to measure or how to count it.
Before BlumeAva will improve her reading comprehension.
A 7-part goal, as Blume writes it
By Jan 29, 2026, 1after reading a grade-level text, 2with graphic organizers, 3Ava4will identify the main idea5with 80% accuracy and with no more than 1 visual prompt, 6as measured by work samples, 7weekly.
1ConditionThe situation the skill is shown in
2SupportThe accommodations and modifications, kept on the goal and on every observation
3StudentWho the goal is for
4SkillWhat the student will do, from Blume's skills library
5CriteriaHow well, how much or how often
6MethodHow it's measured and documented
7ScheduleHow often it's evaluated
Baseline30%
Target80%
Milestones43%55%66%
Why it matters
The same 7 parts, in the same order, on every goal you write. So anyone who reads it can measure it the same way, and each milestone between the baseline and the target is as clear as the goal itself.
How Blume does it
Hundreds of skills across 29 areas, each a ready-made template with its goal wording, the measurements that suit it and the questions to ask. Write your own when yours isn't there. Milestones land on your report card dates, each with a number of its own, and every observation is planned on your calendar the moment you save.
3 main ideas from 5 passages, with one visual prompt
Full supportSignificantModerateMinimalIndependent
Growing independence shows as progress.
×7Today
3Ava Thompson
4Main idea
1UNDER THIS CONDITION
After reading a grade-level text
2Supports in placeGraphic organizers
6MethodWork samples
WHAT YOU COUNTED
How many passages or texts were presented?−5+
How many main ideas did the student correctly identify?−3+
5Worked outAccuracy 60%
Prompts were given
Visual 1Verbal 0Gestural 0
Minimal support
Save the observation
Why it matters
The baseline and every session after it are collected the same way, so 60% today can be compared directly with the 30% Ava started from. And progress is measured by the support she needs, not only by her score.
How Blume does it
The goal comes with you, part by part: the numbers on this screen are the 7 parts above. Count what happened and Blume does the arithmetic. Count each prompt by kind and Blume rates the support needed. Setting, grouping, method, observer and role go on every observation, so any figure can be traced to who, when and where.
All that work, in a report with your name on it. Where the student started, where they finished and whether they met the target, with every observation behind it. Send it home. Bring it to the IEP meeting. Share it with your team.
Before BlumeAva made good progress.
Evidence
30%Started80%Target88%Final
Achieved, with the target first met on Dec 16, from 21 dated observations.
GOAL COMPLETION REPORT · SEP 2, 2025 TO JAN 29, 2026
Ava's Reading goal
Grade 3 · Riverside Elementary · Prepared by J. Rivera · January 2026
The outcome
116%to target
Achieved
Ava met every target. The goal ran 21 weeks, from Sep 2, 2025 to Jan 29, 2026.
Ran21 weeksObservations21Targets met2 / 2
Progress made
Measure
Baseline
Final
Target
Change
Accuracy
30%
88%
80%
+58%
Visual prompts
3
0
<2
-3
The goal
Reading
By Jan 29, 2026, after reading a grade-level text, with graphic organizers, Ava will identify the main idea with 80% accuracy and with no more than 1 visual prompt, as measured by work samples, weekly.
Milestones: 43% by Oct 9, 55% by Nov 17 and 66% by Dec 19, 2025.
How the progress went
ObservedExpected pathBaselineTarget
Target first met on Dec 16, 2025, 6 weeks before the goal ended. All 19 planned observations were done, and two more besides.
Every observation
Sep 2, 2025J. Rivera33%
Special education classroom · One-to-one · Significant support, 3 prompts
Sep 9, 2025J. Rivera40%
Special education classroom · Small group (2 to 10) · Significant support, 3 prompts
Oct 28, 2025J. Rivera60%
Special education classroom · One-to-one · Minimal support, 1 prompt
Ava Thompson · Goal completion report · A sample: the student, school and figures are made upblumemethod.com · 1
Share withColleaguesAdministratorsFamilies
Measurable
Every goal is measured against its own baseline and target, so progress is a number on a chart, not an impression.
Defensible
Every figure traces back to dated observations, with the setting, method and observer recorded alongside, so the answer is there when anyone asks. A goal's completion report lists every one: when, who recorded it and what was seen.
Consistent
The same measures, the same layout and the same standard for every student, every educator and every school.
Beautiful, and ready to send
A polished PDF with your name on it, made on your phone.
See what yours will look like.
Two real Blume reports, for made-up students. Open either on your phone, no email asked.
AUG 31 TO OCT 23, 2026
Leo's progress
Grade 3 · Riverside Elementary · Prepared by J. Rivera · October 2026
Mostly on trackLeo is on track on 1 of 2 active goals and behind on 1.
41%average
Goals
3
On track
1
Behind
1
Observations
24
All 23 planned observations were done, 21 on their day.
Reading is 16 points ahead of its path. Math is 3 behind.
Goals and progress
Leo's Reading goalMain ideaOn track
64%to target
Started
Sep 2, 2026
Ends
Jan 29, 2027
Time left
98 days
Measure
Baseline
Now
Target
Accuracy
30%
62%
80%
Measurements
LEO'S READING GOAL
Main idea
ObservedExpected pathBaselineTarget
Progress to target64%
Data collection
Observations
24 · 3.1 a week
By J. Rivera (19) and M. Okafor (5). Mostly in a small group, in a special education classroom.
Planned observations
100% done, 91% on their day
On time 21Late 2Overdue 0Coming up 0
Leo Martinez · Student progress report · A sample: the student, school and figures are made upblumemethod.com · 1
The student progress reportEvery goal one student is working on: where each started, where it is now and whether it's on pace, with every measurement and how the data was collected. The report for an IEP meeting, a family or a report card day.Download Leo's report
Both made from a made-up caseload at Riverside Elementary, in the same look as every report Blume Notebook makes.
Before and after
Ava's goal, transformed.
The same student and the same skill. Now anyone who reads it can measure it, and check it.
Before
Ava will improve her reading comprehension.
Step 1 · BaselineAn impression
Step 2 · TargetA wish
Step 3 · ProgressA feeling
Step 4 · ReportA claim
After: a 7-part goal
By Jan 29, 2026, 1after reading a grade-level text, 2with graphic organizers, 3Ava4will identify the main idea5with 80% accuracy and with no more than 1 visual prompt, 6as measured by work samples, 7weekly.
Step 1 · Baseline30% accuracy
Step 2 · Target80% by Jan 29, 2026, with milestones at 43%, 55% and 66%
Step 3 · ProgressMeasured the same way, every week
Step 4 · ReportAchieved: 88% against a target of 80%, from 21 dated observations
100% free for individual accountsUp and running in minutes. For up to 10 students, and more on request. No card, no trial and no team needed.
Compliant by designChoose from hundreds of ready-made skills, answer a few prompts, and Blume writes a clinical, data-driven 7-part goal, to the Blume Method's standard, above what the law asks.
Free, unlimited AIAsk Allan knows your caseload, the Blume Method and the app. 100% confidential, on your phone, and included in every account.
Ask Allan knows your caseload, the Blume Method and the app, and it runs right on your phone.
$0Included in every account, with nothing to buy and nothing to top up.
∞Ask as much as you like. No credits, no caps, no counters.
100%confidential. Answered on your phone, never sent anywhere, never recorded.
On your phone
Ask Allan
How is Leo's reading goal going?
On track. Leo is at 62% on main idea, from a baseline of 30%, with a target of 80% by Jan 29, 2027.
The next observation is planned for Oct 27.
Your caseload › Leo Martinez
And the math goal?
A little behind. Leo is 3 points behind the expected path, and the next observation is planned for Oct 28.
Your caseload › Leo Martinez
Ask a question
Your caseload
Who needs attention, how a goal is going, and what's coming up, from your own students' data.
Who on my caseload needs attention?
The Blume Method
Special education goals and data: baselines, goals, accommodations and data collection.
How much data does a baseline need?
Using the app
Not sure how to do something? Just ask.
How do I make a progress report?
Every answer shows its source, from the Blume Method's own guidance or your own records. When they don't cover a question, Ask Allan says so. Decisions about a student stay with the IEP team, and as with any AI, check what it gives you. It never speaks as Allan himself.
A couple of minutes each day. Your whole caseload, handled.
Open Blume and see what's due. Record as you go, and your goals and reports stay up to date, with no second job at report time.
Every school day
See today
Everything due, on one screen.
Record as you go
A few taps. The math is done for you.
Take notes
And set reminders, in the same place.
Goals stay current
See where each student stands.
Reports are ready
One tap on report card day.
Tomorrow is planned
The next observations are already set.
Allan S. Blume, Ed.S.Founder of the Blume Method
The method behind it
45 years of getting goals right, in every step.
Allan Blume has spent more than 45 years in special education. The Blume Method, with its 7-part goal and his practical formulas and sentence frames for baselines and data collection, makes every goal measurable, compliant and consistent from one building to the next, without losing the student at its center.
You don't need to know the Method to use it. Blume Notebook carries it through every step, so a goal written on your phone holds to the same standard as one written with Allan in the room.
The law sets the floor for an IEP's goals. The Blume Method sets the bar higher, and Blume Notebook walks you through it on every goal and every observation, so the record is already there when a goal or a student's progress is questioned.
See it against federal law
What federal law asks of an IEP's goals, and what Blume Notebook does
What federal law asks
What Blume Notebook does
A statement of present levels of performance34 CFR 300.320(a)(1)
Every goal you write starts from a baseline in data: data you have, data already in Blume, or baseline observations Blume plans for you.
Measurable annual goals34 CFR 300.320(a)(2)(i)
Every goal you write is a 7-part goal: the condition, the supports, the student, the skill, the criteria, the method and the schedule.
Benchmarks or short-term objectives, for students who take alternate assessments34 CFR 300.320(a)(2)(ii)
Dated milestones on every goal you write, for every student.
A description of how progress will be measured34 CFR 300.320(a)(3)(i)
A measure chosen for the skill, and every observation recorded the same way, with its setting, method and observer.
When periodic progress reports will be provided34 CFR 300.320(a)(3)(ii)
A progress report whenever one is due, drawn from the data over any dates, with progress set against the expected path.
The supports and modifications the student needs34 CFR 300.320(a)(4)
The goal's accommodations and modifications kept on the goal, and in place on every observation.
The law shown is federal (IDEA, 34 CFR 300.320). Your state's rules add to it, and the rest of the IEP and your school's own procedures still apply.
Blume is committed to FERPA compliance. Student information is protected by encryption and access controls, and it's never sold or used for advertising.
Reports made on your phoneDrawn on your phone, and sent only where you send them.
Notes that are yoursNotes and reminders, personal unless you choose to share them.
Nothing on the lock screenA reminder's notification never names a student.
Locked with Face ID or fingerprintBlume opens locked, and locks again after a minute away.
Start on your own today. When your school joins, the same account takes you to its team, and your students move across with every goal and observation.
1 · TodayStart on your ownYour own free workspace in minutes, every feature and Ask Allan included, for up to 10 students and more on request. No card and no trial.
2 · This yearShare what you makeSend progress reports to the IEP team and families. The app writes the note that brings Blume to your administrators.
3 · When your school joinsMove to your school's teamJoin with your school email, keep the same account, and move each student across with every goal and observation.
Every goal and observation in one place, ready on demand for parents, your board, state reviews and hearings. No binders to collect and no spreadsheets to chase.
Every goal gets a baseline from data, all 7 parts and dated Milestones, whoever writes it. Blume Admin checks them all, so you know where practice is strong and where to help.
Are our goals compliant?
Every running goal is checked against the Blume standard, set above what the law asks, including a baseline drawn from at least three data points, with pass rates by school and by educator.
Where is practice strongest?
Schools and educators compared on goal quality, on observing as scheduled and on the completeness of their data, so you can see whose practice to share and who would benefit from support.
Which students need more support?
Students with a goal falling behind, observations overdue, and anyone not observed in 30 days, each a tap away from their full record.
Your records
One filing cabinet that manages itself.
Your educators do their work in Blume, and the record builds itself: every goal and every observation, for every student, across your schools.
Students stay with your team
Students belong to your team, and their goals and history follow them from caseload to caseload. Educators bring students in from their own workspace with every goal and observation. Your admins choose whether students can be shared or moved in.
Everyone in, simply
Blume sets up your team with you. Then invite staff by email, or have Blume open it to your organization's verified email address so staff join on their own.
Run it your way
No student limit. Manage your team on Blume's web app, or from Blume Admin, the companion app for administrators.
Committed to FERPA
Blume is committed to FERPA compliance. Student information is protected by encryption and access controls, and it's never sold or used for advertising. Your review can start with data privacy and compliance.
Reports on demand
Whoever asks, the report is ready.
Blume Admin reads every goal and observation your team records and keeps a running account of your program: how far students have come and where to look next. Make any report on demand, the moment someone needs it.
MO
Riverside School District
Home
84%of goals have improved since baseline336 goals · 158 students · 2025–26 school year
2.6×faster since BlumeThe same goals, before and after
43%fewer challenging behaviorsFrom baseline to now
STRONGEST IMPROVEMENT · BY SCHOOL
Lincoln Elementary92%
Riverside Elementary86%
Riverside Middle86%
HomeStaffStudents
Is the program working?
The share of goals improved since baseline, the typical gain in each skill area, goals met and on pace to be met, behaviors reduced on the goals that target them, less prompting needed, and how much faster the same goals have improved since they came into Blume than in the data recorded before.
For parents
A student's progress report on demand: where each goal started, where it is now and whether it's on pace.
For your board and leaders
The year's program results on demand, as one PDF, and any breakdown as a spreadsheet.
For state reviews and hearings
The report, and the dated observations behind every figure, on the day someone asks.
Narrow or break down the figures by
School
Educator
Grade
Disability
English learners
Area of need
Skill area
Student
Over the school year, the last 30 days or the last week. Groups of fewer than five students are never shown, so no student can be singled out. Each chart says what it shows and exactly how it's worked out, so you can stand behind it when someone asks.
Reports for the people you answer to.
Two of Blume Admin's reports on demand, for a made-up district. Open either on your phone, no email asked.
AUG 31 TO OCT 23, 2026
Jordan Rivera's work
Special education teacher · Riverside Elementary · Riverside School District · Made Oct 23, 2026
14Students
212Observations recorded
9Goals written
18Goals under way, 3 behind
Their students
Leo MartinezGrade 3 · 19 by them · Last observed Oct 21, 2026
Leo's Reading goalOn track
Leo's Math goalBehind
Leo's Writing goalNeeds target
Ava ThompsonGrade 4 · 31 by them · Last observed Oct 21, 2026
Ava's Math goalBehind
Ava's Writing goalOn track
Maya ChenGrade 4 · 22 by them · Last observed Oct 20, 2026
Maya's Reading goalOn track
The staff reportOne educator's work from shared facts: their students, their observations and how each goal stands. On demand, and the same report the educator can make of themselves, so supervision never comes as a surprise.Download Jordan Rivera's report
PROGRAM RESULTS · 2025–26 SCHOOL YEAR
Riverside School District
5 schools · 38 practitioners · 158 students · Made Jun 18, 2026
84%of goals improved since baseline, this school year283 of 336 goals, from 19,180 observations
2.6×Faster since Blume
43%Fewer challenging behaviors
38%Less prompting needed
Improved since baseline, by school
Lincoln Elementary92%
Riverside Elementary86%
Riverside Middle86%
Riverside High77%
Oak Hill Elementary76%
Oak Hill Elementary did 79% of its planned observations, the fewest of the five.
Goals this year
109Goals achieved
76%Achieved or on track
80%Passing every quality check
Program resultsA school year's results in one document for your leaders or a board: goals improved since baseline, the biggest gains, goal quality and how each school is doing. On demand, as a PDF, from Blume Admin's Home.Download Riverside's results
Bring Blume to your team.
Tell us about your team. We'll set up its workspace and help every school get started, and you'll have a named contact at Blume and a regular summary of your results.
Yes, 100% free for individual accounts: your own workspace and every feature, Ask Allan included, with no card and no trial. A personal workspace holds up to 10 students, and more on request. Teams that want a shared workspace can talk to us.
I have more than 10 students. Can I still use it?
Yes. A personal workspace starts with room for 10. When you reach the limit, tap Request more room in the app and we'll be in touch to raise it, still free.
Is Blume Notebook FERPA compliant?
Blume is committed to FERPA compliance. Student information is protected by encryption and access controls, and it's never sold or used for advertising. FERPA also covers how your school handles student records, so your school's own policies still apply to what you enter. Our privacy policy and terms have the detail.
Will Blume Notebook make our IEPs compliant?
It covers the goals and the data behind them. Every goal you write in Blume follows the Blume Method, which asks more than federal law does: a baseline from data, a 7-part goal, and dated milestones for every student rather than only some. A goal you bring in from a signed IEP is kept word for word, and Blume checks it against the Method and shows what's missing. Every observation is recorded the same way, so progress can be shown at any time. The rest of the IEP, your state's own rules and your school's procedures are still yours to follow.
Why not just use a spreadsheet or an AI chatbot?
A spreadsheet holds your numbers, but it won't write the goal, plan the observations or draw the report. A chatbot can write a goal that sounds right, but it hasn't seen your data, and what you type goes to someone else's servers. Blume starts from the student's data, writes a 7-part goal, keeps every observation behind it and makes the report. Ask Allan answers on your phone.
I already use Blume on the web. Do I need a new account?
No. Sign in with the same email and password. It's the same account, and your teams and your caseload come with you.
What can I use it on?
iPhone and Android, and on the web from any computer. We'll always keep a web version, and it's the same account everywhere.
Can I ask out loud?
Yes. Tap the microphone and say your question. Your phone turns what you say into text on the phone itself, so your voice is never sent anywhere. The microphone shows on phones that can do this: an iPhone with Siri turned on, or an Android phone with English speech recognition.
On your own
Can my school see my personal workspace?
No. A personal workspace is yours alone: nobody else can be invited to it, and your school's team can't see it. Your school's policies on student information still apply to what you enter. If your school has a team workspace too, you can use both, and move a student across when you choose.
What happens to my students if I change schools?
Students in your personal workspace stay on your own account. FERPA and your school's policies still apply to their records, so check those policies before keeping a student's record after you leave. Students on a team belong to the team, so they stay with the team, and the next educator has their whole history.
How do I bring Blume to my school?
In your personal workspace, open your profile and tap Bring Blume to your school. Your phone's share options open with a short note to your administrators already written, saying how you've used Blume and how to reach us. Change it if you like, then send it by email or message. Blume sends nothing itself.
With your team
What happens to my students if my school joins Blume?
You can move each student, with every goal and observation, into your school's team workspace in a few taps. Nothing you've recorded needs entering again, the team adds the student's full details, and from then on the student's record stays with the team.
Start writing goals you can stand behind.
100% free for individual accounts, for up to 10 students and more on request. Set up in minutes, with no card and no trial. Share your first report as soon as you have the data.
