Organizing Progress Monitoring in the Special Education Classroom

Data collection on IEP goals is one of the most important tasks a special education teacher takes on because it helps us plan for interventions and monitor student progress. But it is also one of the most tedious tasks we do! 

Over the years, I have created a system for organizing my IEP goal progress monitoring that has made it easier to set up, implement, and even delegate! 

Progress Monitoring Blog Post Header Miss Allisons SpEd Spot

The first step is designating a binder for each student on your caseload. I prefer using colored binders because I color-code each of my students' materials each year. 

multicolored progress monitoring data binders


In the very front of the binder, I include an IEP at a Glance. We use IEP Anywhere so they luckily create this for us! I also include any essential medical or behavior plans for that student. 

IEP at a glance

behavior plan flowchart

student emergency medical plan


Then, I get pocket dividers for each subject I will be monitoring. This is a great way to organize the different subjects but my favorite part is the pocket. This is where I store all of my work samples. Then, at the end of each quarter when I send home my progress report, I attach the work samples to back up the data. 

IEP data binder tabbed binder pocket with math work sample

IEP data binder tabbed binder pocket with reading comprehension work sample

IEP data binder tabbed binder pocket with phonics work sample

Then, behind each divider, I include progress monitoring sheets specific to that student's goals. My sheets are detailed and user-friendly so that all members of our team (paraprofessionals, related service, and general education staff, etc) can take data in a consistent way. It even helps me if I get confused by all the different goals on my diverse caseload! 

IEP progress monitoring data sheet money

IEP progress monitoring data sheet prewriting

IEP progress monitoring data sheet vocabulary and comprehension

Over 100 of my progress monitoring sheets can be found in my TPT store. You can get individual subjects (Math, Reading, Communication & Vocabulary, and Fine Motor, Daily Routines, & Writing) or a bundle to cover all of your needs (and save 20%)!

IEP progress monitoring data sheets communication and vocabulary

IEP progress monitoring data sheets math

IEP progress monitoring data sheets reading

IEP progress monitoring data sheets writing fine motor


IEP progress monitoring data sheets bundle

IEP progress monitoring data sheets resource review


During progress report time, I collect all of the completed progress monitoring sheets and organize them by stapling them to these Progress Report Form graphic organizers from my Special Education Teacher IEP Organization Kit which becomes a nice tool for me to reference when making additional copies, updating my paraprofessionals on skills to target, as well as just organizing the overall progress report process!

IEP progress monitoring data sheets progress report organization sheet

Find it here:

IEP organization for special education


Finally, on the back cover, I include a "cheatsheet" all about that student. With IEP goals, behavior and medical plans, and this cheatsheet all contained in one place, my progress monitoring binders truly become an amazing, organized resource for all members of that student's educational team! 

special education student cheatsheet

Once I developed this system, it made progress monitoring organization so easy every fall. I would look at a student's IEP at a glance, print off the corresponding progress monitoring sheets, and get their binder organized. Then I was all set for the rest of the year! 


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