TRACK GOALS
A Parent’s Guide to Mid-Year Academic Progress
For Parents of Children with Special Needs
As we reach the end of the third quarter, it’s natural to wonder: Is my child meeting their goals? Are the supports in place actually working? You’re not alone — and you don’t have to wait and wonder. Use this two-part guide to take action and get answers.
First, TRACK where things stand. Then, focus on your GOALS for moving forward.
TRACK — Know Where Things Stand
Start by gathering information. You can’t make good decisions without a clear picture of what’s actually happening.
T |
Talk to your child | Ask how school is going — their perspective matters and often reveals things report cards don’t. |
R |
Request data | Ask teachers to show you actual numbers or charts that reflect your child’s progress toward their goals, not just general impressions. |
A |
Attend school events | Participate in parent-teacher nights or student-led conferences focused on student progress. |
C |
Connect with other parents | Parents of children with similar needs may know about resources or strategies you haven’t tried yet. |
K |
Keep a running folder | Maintain a paper or digital folder of all communications, evaluations, and reports so you’re organized and prepared for every meeting. |
Read more about Tracking Your Child’s Educational Progress in 2026.
GOALS — Take Action and Move Forward
Once you have a clear picture, it’s time to take action. These steps will help you advocate effectively for your child.
G |
Gather recent work samples | Collect your child’s recent work and progress reports before any meeting so you have concrete examples to reference. |
O |
Open a conversation | Don’t wait for a scheduled conference. A quick email or call to the teacher can get you answers faster. |
A |
Ask about benchmarks | Request a plain-language explanation of where your child should be versus where they actually are right now. |
L |
List current supports | Write down all interventions and supports in place and ask whether each one shows real results. |
S |
Schedule a review meeting | If the current plan isn’t working, you have the right to request an IEP or 504 review meeting at any time — don’t wait. |
Scheduling an IEP review meeting? Learn more about Mastering IEP Review.
Remember: You are your child’s advocate. You have the right to ask questions, request meetings, and seek changes to your child’s plan at any time during the school year. Trust your instincts — and use this guide.
This handout may be reproduced freely for educational and parent support purposes.
If you need further help, contact the experienced attorneys at SGW:
609-409-3500
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