Question

Benchmarks are important components of a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) primarily because of their usefulness in:

A. clarifying expectations for the student's academic performance.

B. identifying the student's preferred learning styles and modalities.

C. monitoring the student's shorter-term progress toward longer-term educational goals.

D. establishing the student's current level of knowledge and skill in various developmental domains.

Answer 1

Benchmarks in an IEP are crucial for monitoring a student's progress towards educational goals, allowing educators to make necessary adjustments for the student's success. The correct option is C.

Step-by-step explanation:

Benchmarks are important components of a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) primarily because they are crucial in monitoring the student's shorter-term progress toward longer-term educational goals.

Benchmarks serve as measurable, interim achievements that indicate whether a student is on track to reach their specified annual goals laid out in the IEP. By periodically assessing these milestones, educators can adjust instruction and supports as needed to ensure continuous progress.

It is important to note that while benchmarks do indeed help in clarifying expectations for academic performance and can provide information on the student's current knowledge and skill levels, their primary function lies within progress monitoring as part of an effective IEP. The correct option is C.