10 Tips: How can I measure my child's progress?

Measuring your child's progress in special education is necessary for understanding their growth. It also helps everyone understand if your child is receiving the support they need. By actively monitoring their development, you can identify areas of strength and areas that may require additional attention. This blog post will explore effective strategies for tracking your child's progress and collaborating with their educational team to foster their success.

10 Tips for Progress Monitoring

1. Review progress reports: Schools are required to provide regular progress reports on IEP goals, typically at least as often as report cards are issued. These should include objective measures of your child's progress.
2. Examine data from progress monitoring: This involves frequent, systematic collection of data to assess performance on IEP goals. Ask to see graphs or charts tracking your child's progress over time.
3. Discuss with teachers and specialists: Have regular conversations with your child's special education teacher, therapists, and other team members about their observations of your child's progress.
4. Observe your child: Pay attention to changes in your child's skills, behaviors, and interactions at home and in the community.
5. Ask your child: Discuss with your child how they feel they are doing in school and what areas they find challenging or have improved in.
6. Review standardized test results: Look at scores from any standardized assessments given to measure progress.
7. Check for specific, measurable data: Ensure progress is being measured objectively, not just through subjective teacher observations.
8. Compare current performance to baseline: Look at how your child is performing now compared to their initial skill levels when goals were set.
9. Evaluate progress toward IEP goal benchmarks: Determine if your child is on track to meet annual goals based on the timeline and criteria specified in the IEP.
10. Request an IEP meeting: If you have concerns about progress, you can ask for a team meeting to review data and discuss potential adjustments to the IEP if needed.

You have the right to request progress monitoring information at any time, not just when formal reports are issued. Regular communication with your child's IEP team is key to staying informed about their progress.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by this process, consider taking the course, “Understanding the IEP,” which will help you through the evaluation process. We also provide free consultations that can help you understand the special education system.