What is the purpose of a progress monitoring assessment?

The purpose of a progress monitoring assessment is to measure progress in response to instruction. This type of assessment is designed to evaluate how well a student is responding to the teaching strategies being implemented. By regularly collecting data on a student's performance, educators can determine whether students are on track to meet their learning goals or if they require additional support.

Progress monitoring allows for timely adjustments to instruction by providing ongoing feedback about student learning and understanding. It emphasizes growth over time, enabling educators to identify trends and make informed decisions about instructional practices. This proactive approach helps ensure that students receive the necessary interventions or changes to support their learning.

In contrast, assessments focused on measuring knowledge attained are typically summative in nature, evaluating what a student knows after a specific period or unit. Classifying student achievement may involve categorizing students based on their performance levels, but it does not specifically address their progress over time. Diagnosing learning disabilities involves different assessment tools and processes aimed at identifying specific learning challenges, rather than monitoring ongoing instructional responses.