When Growth Looks Different : Progress Beyond Standard Testing

“Progress isn’t always a straight line, and sometimes it doesn’t look anything like what the school charts say. But that doesn’t mean it’s not real. If you’ve ever been told your child is ‘behind,’ or felt crushed sitting in an IEP meeting while graphs told a story that didn’t match your kid—this episode is for you.”

In this episode of Special Ed Rising, we explore why small victories matter, how to recognize progress that standardized tests miss, and tools to track your child’s real growth. From tying shoes to making a first friend, these everyday wins are building independence, confidence, and lifelong skills.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why milestones and test scores don’t tell the full story of your child’s growth.
• Research-backed ways to capture progress that traditional assessments miss (Curriculum-Based Measurement, Goal Attainment Scaling, and more).
• How to celebrate small wins that often fly under the radar, like social courage, problem-solving, and self-expression.
• Strategies for shifting your mindset—and your child’s—from “behind” to “growing on their own timeline.”
• Practical tools you can start today: one-line journals, photo notes, creating individualized ladders, and sharing victories with your community.
• An introduction to alternative assessments and how they empower children to show what they really know and can do.

Resources & Links:

• Explore tips, tools, and parent coaching: specialedrising.com
• Watch interviews and extra content: Special Ed Rising YouTube Channel
• Support Ray’s Respite Care: [GoFundMe Link in Show Notes]

Reflection Prompt:

Before you go, take a moment to jot down one small victory your child achieved this week. Celebrate it, claim it, and remember—every step counts.

Join the Movement:

Special Ed Rising is a space for inclusion, supporting individuals with disabilities across education, access, and health. If this episode resonated, please rate, review, subscribe, and share—it helps more families find this support and join the mission.

Quote to Remember:

“Progress isn’t always a straight line, and sometimes it doesn’t look anything like what the school charts say. But that doesn’t mean it’s not real.”

💻 Resources & Support: specialedrising.com

🎥 Watch more: Special Ed Rising YouTube

❤️ Support families: Ray’s Respite Care GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-rays-respite-care-mission

Ray's Respite Care: https://www.raysrespitecare.org/