Progress Monitoring
Progress monitoring is a scientifically based practice used to assess students' academic performance and evaluate the effectiveness of instruction. It involves regularly collecting data on a student's progress toward specific goals. This data is then used to make informed decisions about instruction, such as modifying teaching strategies or adjusting the intensity of interventions. Progress monitoring helps educators ensure that students are making adequate progress and receive the support they need to succeed. For example, in reading, progress monitoring might involve having a student read aloud for one minute and recording the number of words read correctly (WCPM). In math, it could involve giving a student a short quiz on a specific skill and tracking the number of correct answers over time. The data collected is graphed to visually represent the student's progress and identify any areas where they may be struggling. This ongoing assessment allows teachers to quickly identify students who are not responding to instruction and make necessary adjustments to their teaching approach or provide additional support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between progress monitoring and standardized testing?
Progress monitoring is a frequent and ongoing assessment process used to track student growth on specific skills, while standardized testing is typically administered less frequently and is designed to compare student performance to a larger norm group. Progress monitoring informs instructional decisions, while standardized tests are often used for accountability purposes.
How often should progress monitoring data be collected?
The frequency of data collection depends on the student's needs and the nature of the intervention. Generally, data should be collected at least weekly or bi-weekly. Students receiving more intensive interventions may require more frequent data collection.
What are some examples of progress monitoring tools?
Common progress monitoring tools include Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM) probes, such as DIBELS for reading fluency and AIMSweb for math. Other tools include teacher-created quizzes, writing samples, and behavioral observation checklists.
How is progress monitoring data used to make instructional decisions?
Progress monitoring data is graphed and analyzed to determine if a student is making adequate progress toward their goal. If the student's data points fall below the goal line, the teacher may need to adjust the instruction or intervention, such as by modifying teaching strategies, increasing the intensity of support, or changing the goal.
What is a goal line in progress monitoring?
A goal line in progress monitoring is a visual representation on a graph that connects the student's baseline performance to their target goal. It serves as a benchmark for determining if the student is making adequate progress. Data points consistently falling below the goal line indicate a need for instructional adjustments.