Tracking progress

Learn

• Look at the benchmarks

  You may hear the school use different terms for this, like benchmarking and progress monitoring. Benchmarks are mini-goals or milestones that help the IEP team measure how much progress the student is making towards the annual goal.

  Some states require a certain number of benchmarks for each goal. For example, Nevada requires three benchmarks or milestones for each goal.

  As a parent, you can ask the team about the benchmarks in the IEP. You can also ask for the IEP to include how often you'll receive updates.

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• Use an IEP goal tracker

  Use Understood's IEP goal tracker to help you stay on top of benchmarking and other progress-monitoring data. Our free tracker can also help you jot down questions or observations you might want to raise with the IEP team.

  Understood's IEP goal tracker has three parts:

  • A blank form that is digitally editable, so you can fill it out online

  • A filled-in example tracking an IEP goal about academics

  • A second filled-in example that tracks an IEP goal about behavior

• Connect with the team

  You can always reach out to the special education teacher or case manager to ask about your child's progress. It's good to be in touch with them on a regular basis.

  But you also have the right to request an IEP meeting and suggest things like more goals or services. The team doesn't have to say yes to your request, but it does have to explain in writing why it thinks the current plan is sufficient.

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