Fortunately, educators and researchers have developed ways that teachers can track individual student progress on an ongoing basis. Through quick and easy-to-use repeated measurements, teachers can take weekly or monthly "snapshots" that provide valuable information about how the student is progressing and where he or she needs individualized attention. This information is especially critical in the early grades when students are learning fundamental skills in reading, writing, and math.

Monitoring progress in this way helps students with learning disabilities (LD) because it allows teachers to adjust instruction during the year so that students can meet academic goals by the end of the year. Ongoing progress reports also help the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team to develop and modify the IEP plan accordingly.