Final answer:
Progress monitoring involves evaluating students' academic performance to identify those who are making adequate progress, those in need of extra support at different tier levels, and to assess the effectiveness of the Tier 1 reading program. It is a key component of adhering to educational laws and ensures that support is tailored to individual student needs while addressing potential inequalities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Progress monitoring is a practice used to assess students' academic performance and growth on a regular basis. The main goals of progress monitoring involve identifying students at various levels of proficiency. Firstly, it helps in identifying students who are making adequate progress and can continue with their current level of instruction. Secondly, it assists in identifying students who require extra support in Tier 1, the first level of instruction that all students receive. Thirdly, it aids in pinpointing those students who require additional support in Tier 2 or Tier 3, which are more intensive intervention levels. Lastly, it assists educators in ensuring that the reading program in Tier 1 is strong and effective for all students.
These practices are critical in response to accountability requirements from laws such as the No Child Left Behind Act, which call for regular testing and adequate yearly progress in schools. Progress monitoring ensures that educational disparities are addressed and that all students receive the support they need to succeed. Various forms of assessments, such as formative assessments, practice problems, and performance tasks, are used to gauge student understanding and to guide instruction.
Another aspect of educational practice that is related to progress monitoring is tracking, a system that sorts students based on perceived ability. However, tracking is controversial because it can perpetuate inequalities in education by separating students into different levels of academic rigor.
In summary, progress monitoring is a multi-faceted approach designed to continuously evaluate and support student learning, ensuring equitable education for all students.