What types of assessments are utilized to measure progress towards IEP goals?

Measuring progress towards Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals necessitates a multifaceted approach to assessment. Formative and summative assessments play crucial roles in tracking a student's progress.

Formative assessments are ongoing and are designed to monitor student learning and understanding in real-time, allowing for adjustments to instruction based on the data gathered. This might include quizzes, informal assessments, and regular check-ins that help gauge a student’s day-to-day progress.

Summative assessments, on the other hand, evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional unit by comparing it against a standard or benchmark. These assessments are often more structured and may take the form of standardized tests or end-of-unit projects.

Data collection is an integral part of both formative and summative assessments. Collecting data allows educators to quantify the progress being made towards the goals established in the IEP, ensuring that data-driven decisions can be made regarding instructional strategies and interventions.

Together, formative and summative assessments, alongside systematic data collection, provide comprehensive insights into student progress, aiding in personalizing instruction and making necessary adjustments to better support students with special needs.