Progress Monitoring
What is it?
Progress monitoring is the careful and specific assessment of a child's skills over time to determine if they are learning or responding to an intervention. Progress monitoring is the data you can see and use to know that learning is happening.
How is it done?
There are several ways to do progress monitoring, some are very standardized and others are tailored to a unique activity or skill. Standardized progress monitoring looks like testing for specific math, reading, and writing skills on Aimsweb or MAP assessments and job or life skills like the Brigance Inventories, etc. You can also progress monitor your child's success on learning to zip up their coat.
Why is it necessary?
Progress monitoring is important prior to determining eligibility for special education. When you are teaching and something is not quite "clicking" with your child, then you know some aspect of your teaching, environment, or materials needs to change. Data can show you if that change is effective or if something else needs to change. When a child isn't responding to changes then there could be an underlying issue involved.
How long do I do it for?
There are two different answers to this question.
Before special education: There's no hard and fast rule on how long you need to progress monitor when you are trying interventions with your child. We encourage at least 3 weeks of trying something, taking data on it, and seeing how it works! After a few weeks, you may want to change and try something else.
If your child is eligible and is receiving services with an IEP, then progress monitoring is legally required. The IEP team will decide how often it will be reported, what will be used to determine progress, and the specific goals the child is looking to master.
Before special education: There's no hard and fast rule on how long you need to progress monitor when you are trying interventions with your child. We encourage at least 3 weeks of trying something, taking data on it, and seeing how it works! After a few weeks, you may want to change and try something else.
If your child is eligible and is receiving services with an IEP, then progress monitoring is legally required. The IEP team will decide how often it will be reported, what will be used to determine progress, and the specific goals the child is looking to master.
Resources
Wright's Law - Progress Monitoring Explanation and resources
SpEd Homeschool - Progress Monitoring FAQ
Teachers Pay Teachers - Progress Monitoring Printable resources (Free and Paid options)
SpEd Homeschool - Progress Monitoring FAQ
Teachers Pay Teachers - Progress Monitoring Printable resources (Free and Paid options)