As I continue my learning journey with Structured Literacy, I’ve been reflecting on the shifts that have had the biggest impact on my teaching.
Read about Shift # 1:Structured Literacy Shift here.
Read about Shift # 2: Morphology Instruction here.
As I continue documenting the shifts I’ve made , today’s post focuses on a practice that has transformed the way I understand my learners: Progress Monitoring.
Progress monitoring is an assessment method that refers to quick, ongoing checks that help teachers see how students are responding to instruction and meeting learning goals. It is not something students prepare for, and it does not function like a traditional test. Instead, it is a form of assessment for teachers—a tool that guides planning, grouping, and next steps. Progress monitoring offers an authentic look at what they can currently do.
In a Structured Literacy, progress monitoring helps us:
- Identify which skills students have mastered
- Pinpoint where skills are emerging
- Adjust instruction to close gaps quickly
- It gives teachers data to ensure small groups are based on current needs, not assumptions
Essentially I have found these small, frequent checks make learning needs visible much sooner. Progress monitoring is also an equity practice as it ensures instructional decisions are based on data, not personal biases.
Some ways progress monitoring fits naturally into my literacy block:
- Quick phonics or morphology checks based on a scope and sequence
- Using technology to get reading fluency snapshots
- Writing dictation samples
- Reviewing writing samples for transfer of skills
My reflections
Since making progress monitoring a regular part of my routine, I’ve noticed:
- More targeted instruction—I know exactly which skills need to be retaught or extended
- Flexible, responsive groups that actually match current student needs
- Earlier identification of students requiring support
- Improved student confidence because I can give timely meaningful feedback with actionable steps
- Clear, concrete evidence of growth to share with families and support teams
You can also review the ETFO assessment website for more information about ongoing assessment.
