Tips For Getting Adequate Data On IEP Progress Reports
1. Use the law and court decisions
One requirement of the IEP that IDEA requires is specifying how a child’s progress will be measured.
IDEA states that each child’s IEP must contain:
(3) A description of—
(i) How the child’s progress toward meeting the annual goals described in paragraph (2) of this section will be measured; and
(ii) When periodic reports on the progress the child is making toward meeting the annual goals (such as through the use of quarterly or other periodic reports, concurrent with the issuance of report cards) will be provided…[§300.320(a)(3)]
Research reveals that sharing progress data is a best practice for improving IEP meetings. The failure to properly report and discuss student progress is a common pitfall that often derails the IEP process and team members’ relationships.
Courts have made it very clear that data-based progress monitoring is essential. See Endrew F. V. Douglas County School District, 137 S. Ct. 988 (2017).
In 2017, the United States Office for Special Education (OSEP) offered schools and parents additional guidance on the Endrew decision in 2017, stating:
“Public agencies may find it useful to examine current practices for engaging and communicating with parents throughout the school year as IEP goals are evaluated and the IEP Team determines whether the child is making progress toward IEP goals. IEP Teams should use the periodic progress reporting required … to inform parents of their child’s progress. Parents and other IEP Team members should collaborate and partner to track progress appropriate to the child’s circumstances.” (ii)
2. Ask Questions
IEP Data Collection must be specific to your child so ask questions.
- How will the child’s progress be measured?
- When will the child’s progress be measured?
- How well will the child need to perform in order to achieve his or her stated IEP goals (for some children, benchmarks or objectives)?
3. Inform the IEP team of the type of data you are asking for on the progress reports
- Specific-data is very specific and progress is reported in the same measures that the goal is written-trials, percentages, etc. You will know exactly how your child is performing on each goal.
- Measurable-numbers including trials, percentages, completion rates, etc.
- Apparent-it is clear on what progress your child has made and is easy to understand.
- Relevant-the data is relevant and applies to each goal.
- Timebound-data is taken in a timely manner particularly several times in a grading period or progress monitoring period.