Progress monitoring closes achievement gaps.
Yes, that statement is a bold one to make. People within education have been debating the benefits of progress monitoring and its connection to achievement gaps for more than 20 years.
And, I do not make this claim lightly. I make it because I have seen it many times over in my career.
The best example I can give of how progress monitoring has changed the trajectory of a student’s education is the story of me.
Progress monitoring changed my life.
When I was 6, I was diagnosed with dyslexia. That story isn’t new, I’ve shared it many times before. But I will share it again here because it plays a part on what I’m about to say about progress monitoring and my achievement gaps.
I attended a public school, and while all my teachers thought I was a “sweet” little girl, I really wasn’t very smart. I was quiet in class, and did what the teachers said. But, being sweet wasn’t getting the job done. I wasn’t learning my letters or sounds like the other kids.
When it came to reading from the textbook, I was smart enough to watch the other kids, and listened to the sentences that we all repeated. When it was my turn, I repeated what everyone else said. My teachers thought I could read. But I couldn’t, and I knew it. The fact is, my learning differences went unnoticed and unappreciated at that time.
So, one truly epic day, I came home and threw my backpack down and screamed “I can’t read!” Like I said earlier, I was a quiet kid, so this shocked my grandmother. She claimed that I didn’t get in trouble for yelling, but I know her better than that. But that story is one for another post.
I never should have learned to read based on the facts.
At 6 years 6 months, I could barely identify 13 letters, and knew fewer sounds. I couldn’t read any sight words, had no idea what it meant to blend sounds, and most of the time couldn’t even keep the letters on the paper.
Basically, I had absolutely no phonics skills. Letters were scribbles on the paper that made really cool shapes when I concentrated on them. Half way through first grade, I had little hope of ever learning to read.
At that time, dyslexia was a new idea. The shapes that my brain made were a completely new concept, and my teacher told my mom there was nothing that could be done.
6 Months later, due to interventions and progress monitoring, I was reading on grade level.
I have dedicated my life to helping kids get the intensive help they need to get and stay on grade level.
I have personally experienced the power that intense interventions, along with progress monitoring can have on closing achievement gaps.
Now, in addition to teaching kids how to read, write, and do basic math, I teach TEACHERS how to leverage progress monitoring to help their students.
Why is progress monitoring so important?
According to 2017 NAEP data, less than 40% of students in 4th and 8th grades are able to read on grade level. The state testing data from many states agrees that the majority of students are reading below grade level throughout school.
That means that many students are missing key foundational skills such as phonemic awareness. The best way to fix achievement gaps is through intensive supports and progress monitoring.
The fact is, many students are leaving elementary schools without the skills that they need to be successful. High school teachers are finding students who don’t have the basic reading, writing, and math skills that they need to be able to access the curriculum. This impacts student’s abilities to choose the courses they want to take, and their options after high school.
If we want students to be able to pursue their passions, we have to give them the tools they need to be successful. The most effective way to do this is to incorporate progress monitoring into our classrooms. This practice closes achievement gaps, and gives kids the opportunity to choose their future.
Be sure to download my freebie: 5 Steps to Getting Started with Progress Monitoring today. This free eBook will walk you through the first steps to getting progress monitoring set up and running efficiently in your classroom this week!
If we want to close achievement gaps, there are a few things we need to do….
- We need to admit that there are a large number of students needing support.
- Identify the students who are the most in need of support.
- Look closely at the students and determine the most basic skill deficits.
- Set up progress monitoring systems to support the students.
- Progress monitor students to determine if the interventions have worked.
The earlier that we start progress monitoring, the easier it is to close achievement gaps quickly.
This does not mean that progress monitoring isn’t useful in later grades!
I have argued with lots of middle and high school administrators that RTI and progress monitoring isn’t useful for their ages. IT IS!!!
The fact is, by the time students are in middle and high school, the achievement gap is massive, and the amount of help these students need is huge. These students still can succeed, but the supports will have to be much more intense. It is just easier to solve these problems earlier on in school.
Again, it is easier in lower grades, but NOT IMPOSSIBLE in higher grades. Don’t let age or grade deter you from starting and using progress monitoring in your classroom. I have seen it work at all ages and grades.
Click here to download 5 Steps to Getting Started with Progress Monitoring
Progress monitoring closes achievement gaps. The hard work that teachers put in to working with their students is not wasted! Big gains are possible when we work intentionally on skill deficits.
Are you ready to get started with me? Download 5 Steps to Getting Started with Progress Monitoring today! We will support students in pursuing their dreams together!