Progress Monitoring

Progress monitoring is a scientifically-based practice that is used to assess students' academic performance and evaluate the effectiveness of instruction. Progress monitoring involves:

• Collecting and analyzing data to determine student progress toward specific skills or general outcomes
• Making instructional decisions based on the review and analysis of student data

Progress monitoring can be implemented with individual students or an entire class. To implement progress monitoring we determine the student's current performance levels, and then identify learning goals that will take place over time. We then regularly measure the student's academic performance (weekly or monthly), which allows us to compare the student's expected and actual rates of learning. Thus, we can assess the student's progress in meeting the learning goals, and determine if teaching adjustments are needed to meet the individual student's learning needs.

Why Monitor Student Progress?
Monitoring student progress through data collection and analysis is an effective way to determine if the classroom instruction is meeting the needs of the student, and benefits all those involved in the education process.

• Teachers can evaluate their instruction based on data not hunches.
• Parents are kept well informed about their child's progress, supported by specific information about how their child is responding to instruction. Parents can review the data and make suggestions for instructional adjustments when necessary.
• Students know what is expected of them. They receive specific feedback about their performance along the way, and not just at the end of the marking period.

• The IEP team has the data-based information needed to:

• Determine current instructional levels

• Write measurable annual goals and objectives

• Determine if the student still meets eligibility for special education and needs specially designed instruction