Progress monitoring is a scientifically based practice that is used to assess student learning over time to determine whether a student is progressing as expected in the core curriculum. To implement progress monitoring, the student’s current levels of performance are determined and goals are identified for learning. The student’s academic performance is measured on a regular basis (weekly, biweekly, or monthly). Progress toward meeting the student’s goals is measured by comparing expected and actual rates of learning, as plotted visually on a graph. Based on these measurements, teaching is adjusted as needed. Thus, the student’s progression of achievement is monitored and instructional techniques are adjusted to meet the individual students learning needs.
Progress monitoring is designed to:
•Estimate rates of improvement
•Identify students who are not demonstrating adequate progress
•Compare the efficacy of different forms of instruction
Graphing Progress Monitoring Data is one of the most important ways to use the data. From the point when a student first starts an intervention, a graph is prepared and the teacher draws a targetline form the student’s initial data point to the expected level of performance. This line shows the teacher the level of growth the student needs to achieve to reach benchmark. The progress monitoring targetline helps in comparing actual with expected level of progress. Every time the teacher administers a progress monitoring assessment, the new point is added to this graph.
Inadequate Progress in the RtI process means that if there are three or four consecutive data points on a graph below the goal line for the student’s performance at the end of a predetermined period of time (e.g., 4 to 6 weeks), a change in instructional strategies may be needed. If the Intervention Team believes that an intervention may take londer to show changes in the student, the intervention can be extended or done more frequently.
