Progress Reports

At this point in the school year, all parents should receive an email regarding parent teacher conferences for your children. This also signifies that report cards are soon approaching. But, for parents of children who have an IEP, it should also remind you that you must receive a progress report!

Both Federal and Massachusetts State regulations provide that written progress reports for eligible students shall (shall means MUST) be submitted to parents at least as often as report cards or progress reports for students without disabilities. Meaning, if your school district has a trimester report card system, your student must also receive three separate progress reports (report Card does not equal Progress Report). Therefore, with each report card, you must also receive a progress report.

What are progress reports? Progress reports are based on data collection strategies outlined in the child’s IEP (referring to every goal and benchmarks/objectives) and the format will look like this). Progress reports include written narrative (based on the data collection!) on the student’s progress toward the annual goals in the IEP.  

Progress reports are an important part of the IEP process because they provide all of your service providers one single platform to document and share the progress your child is making toward their goals. It is essential for parents to receive these reports because it allows you to closely monitor your child’s data and potential progress, and then ascertain whether or not progress is expected by the end of your IEP period. Progress reports also provide a written, tangible document of whether the goals are appropriate or effective. If you believe your child is not progressing, you may convene the team (at any time!) and review the goals to ensure your child is receiving appropriate supports, interventions, and services.  Conversely, if your child is mastering goals ahead of schedule, the team should reconvene to evaluate the appropriateness of the goals. It is important to remember that goals are discussed and formulated at your annual IEP, so it is possible that present levels of performance may not accurately reflect current goals. Do not wait for the year to pass to discuss your concerns! And, as always, if you have any concerns, do so in writing! (*email works great! Remember: Always send communications in writing because… written, or it didn't happen!*)