When you have a new IEP, collecting accurate and thorough data is especially important. It sets the stage for the life of the IEP and serves as a baseline for the initial services that a child will receive.
So, what types of assessments are best to use and can give you the information that you’re looking to include in the IEP? We break down some of the best assessments for collecting data for a new IEP below. They are teacher-tested and offer the data that will make writing a comprehensive IEP easier.
easyCBM was designed by researchers at The University of Oregon as part of the Response to Intervention (RTI) model. The assessments are for grades K-8 and come with easy-to-understand, interpret, and report on data. There are two tiers of assessments, Lite (free) and Teacher Deluxe (paid) that can be used for all of the students on your caseload.
MobyMax does everything from benchmark tests to exit testing to help determine where skill gaps are occurring for your students. The test are based on state standards and can be fully integrated into the classroom setting or used as special assessments for special education needs.
MAP or Measure of Academic Progress assessments are used to determine a child’s achievements and educational gaps. The tests are designed by NWEA and are commonly used within districts nationwide. Spanish options are available to meet those students who are not native English speakers.
i-Ready assessments are part of a suite of programs offered by Curriculum Associates in an attempt to help teachers identify student areas of need and then help remediate those needs. The assessments are easy to read and provide data that can be useful when writing a new IEP.
Here is a short snippet from one of the trainings inside of TII membership about data collection:
The membership also provides guidance on Having an Organized IEP Process, which can be challenging for anyone!
You can join The Intentional IEP to gain access to over 150+ different IEP related trainings, and access to our IEP Goal Bank. Click the image above to join!
Assessing phonological and phonemic awareness skills can be challenging, but these free assessments from Heggerty make it easier. Designed to help teachers of kindergarten through 3rd-grade students get an understanding of their students’ skills, the tests are easy to implement and provide a well-rounded look at where a child is with their phonological and phonemic awareness skills.
Reading A-Z is a special educator favorite and their benchmark tests are no different. They offer everything from retelling assessments to letter recognition tests to benchmark books. The variety of tests enable special ed teachers to narrow down skills that need to be assessed and get accurate, real-time information about how a student is doing.
Designed by a special educator, the Literacy Reading Assessments are a great tool for gathering easy-to-interpret data for IEPs. They address everything from beginning sounds to comprehension and fluency. They come in both digital and print versions so you can use them no matter how you’re assessing your students.
These digital and print math assessments make gathering IEP data easy. They cover topics ranging from number recognition to algebraic thinking. With a wide range of standards-aligned topics, it’s easy to find an assessment for whatever skills you need to assess.
Gathering enough data for a new IEP can take time, but the assessments above make it easier. Choose the tests that are best suited for your students and your budget!
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