Is Your Child Really Making Progress?

One of the hardest parts of navigating an IEP is uncertainty. You are told there is progress, but it is not always clear what that means. And you’re left wondering: Is this actually helping my child?

Progress is often measured in small, incremental ways, many of which are not obvious without clear data.

What the Research Says 

Educational research emphasizes data-driven instruction.

• Progress should be measurable.

• Data should guide decisions.

• If something isn’t working, it should change.

An IEP should evolve based on what your child needs—not stay the same out of convenience.

What Parents Should Be Asking

• “What data are you collecting?”

• “Can you show progress over time?”

• “What changes if progress isn’t happening?”

Red Flags to Watch For

• Vague updates

• Static goals

• Lack of measurable data

• No changes despite limited progress

Trust what you see. Your observations matter.

Parent Reflection

What is one goal in your child’s IEP that you fully understand and one that still feels unclear?

Learn more and access parent resources at empoweringparentsnetwork.org, or follow @empowering_parents_network for updates and support.

Join the EPN Collective at https://epn-collective.empoweringparentsnetwork.org/home or listen to Voices of Empowered Parents on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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