Somewhere in your child's IEP is a line most parents never notice: a description of when periodic progress reports will be provided. Federal law requires it — the IEP must describe how progress toward each annual goal will be measured and when you'll get reports on it, commonly concurrent with report cards (34 CFR § 300.320(a)(3)).
"He's doing fine" is not a progress report. A real one speaks in the language of the goal itself: if the goal says "will read 90 words per minute with 95% accuracy," the report should tell you the current words per minute and accuracy — data, not vibes. If the goals were written measurably (another legal requirement, § 300.320(a)(2)–(3)), measurable reporting follows naturally. Vague reports are usually a symptom of vague goals.
First, check what your child's IEP actually promises — find the progress reporting line. Then request the missing reports in writing, citing the IEP itself: "The IEP provides for quarterly progress reports on all goals. Please send the current reports for each goal, including the measured data." End with the magic words: please respond in writing.
If the data shows no progress — or there is no data — that's grounds to request an IEP meeting. A goal with no progress after months isn't a waiting game; the team is required to respond to lack of expected progress.
As often as your child’s IEP says — the IEP must state the schedule (34 CFR § 300.320(a)(3)). Reports concurrent with report cards are the common arrangement.
Measured data tied to each annual goal’s own criteria — not general statements. If the goal is measurable, the report should show the measurement.
Request an IEP meeting in writing. Since Endrew F. (2017), an IEP must be reasonably calculated for progress appropriate to your child’s circumstances — no-progress data means the plan needs to change.
Ask Know Your Rights any IEP question in plain language, free. And before the school year starts, run the free Fall IEP Audit — it grades last spring's IEP so you know exactly what to push on.
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