Introduction
Normally, the IEP must identify when periodic reports on the progress your child is making toward the annual goals will be provided to the student’s parents. However, since many students are online and not in school it becomes more difficult for teachers to determine the progress when working online. Therefore the role iof the parent in assisting the teachers as to the progress that the parent sees can be crucial. This PTCH provides parents with an outline of what top look for and how to report the progress observed.
What is the purpose of reporting progress to teachers during online teaching
Again, normally regular reports to parents provide a mechanism to monitor a student’s progress toward the annual goals and to evaluate the effectiveness of the student’s special education services. If progress is such that the student is not expected to reach his/her annual goals, the Committee must review and revise the student’s IEP to ensure that the student is being provided the appropriate supports and services.
However, since we are dealing in a different educational world, the teachers who are working online with student with special needs may not be able to observe behaviors, achievement, reactions, etc. that may only be observed by parents. Without this information teachers may not be able to get a accurate perception of progress.
The first step is to discuss this with your child’s teacher and go over the variety of reporting forms and questions that may assist the teacher. Let the teacher know that you want to help and communicate as much as you can so that your child’s progress can be accurately measured since he;/she is not at school and many things may happen out of the site of t the teacher because it is online and the child can move around the house rather than being in a confined classroom.
What should be included in the progress report?
The report of the child’s progress informs teachers of:
- your child’s progress toward the annual goals from your first hand experiences; and
- whether this progress is sufficient for tyour child to achieve the goals by the end of the school year.
We suggest you work with the teacher in developing a suitable form that contains the type of information that is best suited to accurately portray your child’s academic, behavioral, perceptual, physical, or psychological progress. Let the teacher decide the frequency of this progress report. For example, if the teacher asks for a weekly, biweekly otr monthly report taking notes every day will make that easier to report. Remember you are the child’s advocate and any accurate and timely information provided will only assist your child’s progress and the direction the teacher need to go in to help your child reach his/her goals.
In what manner should progress be reported to teachers by parents?
The method or combination of methods to inform the teachers of your child’s progress at home is left to local discretion of the school district or parent. Based on the unique needs of the students, the manner selected to inform teachers might vary from child to child.
There are many ways your child’s progress can be shared with your child’s teachers including, but not limited to periodic online parent-teacher conferences, written progress reports, rating scales and student-parent-teacher conferences. The reports to the teacher do not need to be lengthy or burdensome, but they need to be informative. For example, the report to teachers could include a statement of the goals with a written report of where the student is currently functioning in that goal area and/or a rating of progress to indicate whether the student’s progress to date will likely result in the student reaching the goal by the end of the year. The progress report to parents should be in addition to the student’s regular report cards that provide grades for courses or subject areas.
How often must progress be reported?
Progress should be reported at least as often as your child’s teachers need to be informed of your child’s progress from your own at home personal experiences.
Download Information
To view or print this handout you have the following options:
View or Download PDF Version
Return to Main Parent Teacher Conference Handouts Page – Click here
