It is important to document a child's progress toward his IEP goals. Special education teachers and therapists keep notes and record progress during each session. This allows them to determine if adjustments need to be made to teaching methods, changes need to be made to the goals and/or objectives, and to analyze a child's progress.
Professionals may need to adjust their teaching plans as they get to know the child. They may learn a child's preferred learning styles. The teachers can then adapt the curriculum to fit the child's method of learning. Professionals will also learn about a child's interests and personality and can use this knowledge to improve interest in lessons.
The objectives may need to be simplified if they are too difficult. Some objectives may need to be added or deleted. It may also be determined that a child needs more or less time to complete the tasks. Professionals should make sure that the child is able to be successful when attempting tasks (Cook, Klein, Tessier, 2008).
A collection of progress documentation allows professionals and parents to analyze a child's progress. They can track progress and determine new needs and strengths. Professionals are also able to reflect on lessons to determine if they were successful. This documentation can be used during transitions to acquaint new teachers and therapists to past services and the child's progress and current levels.
It is important for professionals to take notes and monitor progress during each session with the child. This documentation can verify that services are being implemented as intended. This information can be used to update objectives and goals and track a child's progress.
Cook, Ruth E., Klein, Diane & Tessier, Annette. (2008). Adapting Early Childhood Curricula for Children with Special Needs.
Sometimes, I find that teachers forget that the results of assessments should also be used to guide their instructional practices and curriculum. As teachers we need to use the assessment results to determine whether or not the interventions are appropriate.
ReplyDeleteYou noted that, "The objectives may need to be simplified if they are too difficult." This is one of many reasons why monitoring of progress is so important. Goals should be achievable to provide, as I stated in my blog, "documentation of progress, confidence to the child, and optimism and trust in efficiency of services to the family." If these are not being achieved, then, yes, as you said, they should certainly be simplified or perhaps a goal completion date be made longer.
ReplyDeleteDocumentation is very important. Collecting accurate data of the child's progress towards goals is very important. I would be very embarassed and ashamed as a teacher if I went into an IEP meeting and was unable to provide any notes or children's work to back up what I was saying. A teacher should be sure that they have information ready so that the entire team can discuss if changes need to be made to the IEP.
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