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The Parent’s Guide to IEP Goals & Progress Monitoring Overview (5-Part Series)

  • allison1441
  • Oct 20
  • 3 min read

Updated: Oct 27


Child using laptop for progress monitoring
Child using laptop for progress monitoring


I was working with a family, helping them advocate for their daughter. She had been classified for 4 years and had made minimal progress in literacy. When I asked them for her progress monitoring, they said, “That’s just it—we don’t have any.”


They had progress reports (vague notes from the teacher) but nothing that actually reported on their child’s progress toward meeting her goals.


It was then that I realized parents need a clear resource—a guide to help them understand what they are entitled to, how to ask for it if they aren’t receiving it, and how to hold schools accountable.


If you’re still reading this, then you’ve probably experienced the same thing: opening your child’s IEP progress report and seeing “making progress” without any real explanation. It’s frustrating, confusing, and it leaves you wondering if your child is really moving forward.

Parents deserve more than vague updates. You deserve clear goals, real data, and honest communication about how your child is growing.


That’s why I created this 5-part blog series—to cut through the jargon, show you what meaningful progress monitoring looks like, and give you the tools to advocate with confidence.

Below you’ll find all five parts of the series.


Part 1: What Makes a Strong IEP Goal

A strong IEP goal should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART)—but that’s not all. Benchmarks matter too. This post shows you how to spot goals that set your child up for success.


Part 2: How to Monitor IEP Progress

Progress should be more than a note home at report card time. Learn how schools are supposed to monitor progress, what tools they may use, and how to make sure the data really reflects your child’s growth.


Part 3: Questions Parents Should Ask About IEP Progress

Don’t settle for “making progress.” This post gives you the exact Parent Power Questions to ask: How often is data collected? Who collects it? What tool is used? Can I see the raw data?



Part 4: What to Do If Progress Isn’t Happening

Sometimes, despite the best intentions, kids don’t move forward. This post helps you know what to do if progress stalls—how to request changes, reset goals, and make sure your child gets the support they need.



Part 5: Celebrating Progress

Big or small, every win deserves recognition. In this final post, I share ways to celebrate your child’s growth and keep motivation alive—for them, for you, and even for the IEP team.

👉 Read Part 5: Celebrating Progress


Why This Series Matters

Clear goals and consistent progress checks aren’t just “good practice.” They’re what make the IEP meaningful. When you know what to look for and the questions to ask, you can hold the team accountable and cheer your child on with confidence.


💙 Parent Power Move: Bookmark this page so you can easily return to any part of the series when you need it most.


✅ Kick things off with Part 1: What Makes a Strong IEP Goal. I’ll be rolling out each post in order so you can follow the full story from start to finish.


Helpful add-ons (free tools)



Next Steps and Resources:

The following websites are incredibly helpful when navigating the Special Education world. · www.wrightslaw.com


Need help personalizing your letter or planning next steps? I offer one-on-one support—virtual anywhere in the U.S. and in-person across NY/NJ. Work with me.


About the Author

Allison Rosenberg Meyerson is a special education advocate with 30+ years in the classroom and as a literacy specialist. She is Orton-Gillingham Certified, a COPAA SEAT 1.0 graduate, and a Dyslexia Advocate. Based in Warwick, NY, she supports families across NY, NJ, and virtually nationwide through The IDEA Ally.


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