New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

When using progress monitoring, what should be established?

1. Peer comparisons for motivation

2. Goals for student performance over time

3. Standardized testing across all subjects

4. Individual learning styles analysis

The correct answer is: Goals for student performance over time

Establishing goals for student performance over time is crucial in progress monitoring because it provides a clear, measurable way to assess student growth and development. Goals act as benchmarks that educators can use to evaluate whether students are making adequate progress in their learning. By setting specific, achievable goals, teachers and students can focus on targeted skills and identify areas in need of improvement. This structured approach allows for ongoing assessment and adjustment of instruction based on the individual's progress. In contrast, while peer comparisons may encourage motivation among students, they do not provide a personalized assessment of progress relative to individualized goals. Standardized testing can offer a snapshot of student ability but often lacks the ongoing, formative aspect that progress monitoring entails. Lastly, analyzing individual learning styles is important for differentiation but does not directly relate to measuring and tracking performance progress over time. Therefore, establishing goals for performance is the most effective and fundamental aspect of progress monitoring.