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!*) 

A parent asks, "Some of my child's IEP goals are no longer relevant to his current performance levels. Over the summer, he was in social groups three times a week, met with his speech therapist two times a week, and OT one time a week. He worked on a few of his IEP goals and has mastered two out of five. I told the teacher, but she wants to give it time and see how he is doing for herself. What can I do?"

Over the summer, many of us experience the "summer slide," and this is expected by the IEP team and teachers. It is their focus to get your child up to par and learning! However, IEP changes may also be necessary should your child experience growth or development over the summer.  Perhaps he or she learned a new skill? Mastered an IEP goal? Many children have more hours to see a therapist or attend social groups/camps. This should be addressed with your team so you are attaining proper, measurable goals! You don't want to be working on goals you have already achieved! 

Review the IEP, and send a written letter to the school (special education chair, IEP Team facilitator, etc.) regarding your new information and request to convene the IEP Team. It is helpful to be as specific as possible and include all current data from outside therapists. You can't deny data! By law, the school must meet with you annually to review your child's IEP, but the team can convene and alter the IEP at any point throughout the year. And, as with every IEP, you do not have to sign the IEP at the meeting. Review the IEP to ensure that the document is complete. Do you need help writing a letter to your IEP TEAM? Please contact me and I can help you! Have a question you want answered? Email me at jen@maseradvocacy.com!