The Power of Data: Using Assessments to Advocate for Your Child's IEP Goals and Services
What is data?
Walking into an IEP meeting can feel a lot like walking into a foreign country where you don’t speak the language. You know your child better than anyone: you know their strengths, their late-night frustrations, and that specific spark in their eye when they finally "get" something.
As parents, our intuition and "gut feelings" are our superpowers. But often, when we sit down at that big conference table, we’re met with charts, graphs, and a word that can feel a bit cold: Data.
The "D-Word": Why Data Runs the Show
In the world of special education, data determines everything. It’s the compass the team uses to decide where your child is, where they’re going, and how they’re going to get there.
It’s easy to feel unheard when you’re sharing a heartfelt concern and the team responds by looking at a spreadsheet. But here is the secret: It’s not because they don’t care. Most educators choose this path because they care deeply!
However, Special Education is governed by strict laws. For a school to provide a service or change a placement, they have to build a "defensible case." They need proof that can stand up in a meeting (or even a courtroom) to show why a specific support is necessary. Data is simply the evidence they use to advocate for your child’s right to learn.
What Does "Data" Actually Look Like?
Data isn't just a test score; it’s a collection of many different puzzle pieces. When we talk about data in an IEP, we are looking at:
Eligibility Assessments: The big evaluations (Psychological, Speech, OT) that happen every three years to see if a child qualifies for services.
1:1 Aide Assessments (SCIA): Specific evaluations to see if a student needs a dedicated support person to access their education. [Pro Tip: “SCIA” specifically is a regional assessment tool that was adopted to help keep decisions data driven.]
Progress Monitoring: The regular "check-ins" teachers do to see if a child is meeting their current goals.
Report Cards and Work Samples: Real-world proof of how your child is performing in class.
Type and Frequency of Interventions: A record of exactly what has been tried, how often, and if it actually worked.
Listen to my podcast episode above: What if my child isn't meeting their IEP goals? Is this a FAPE violation?
Advocacy Tips: Turning Data into Your Ally
Since we know the school speaks the "language of data," the best way to advocate for your child is to help provide that data. Here is how you can be the most prepared person at the table:
Assess Every Area of Suspected Disability: Don’t leave stones unturned. If you suspect your child struggles with social skills, fine motor, or anxiety, make sure those specific areas are formally assessed. If it isn't assessed, it usually isn't addressed.
Put Your Concerns in Writing: If you have a concern, send an email. Be specific: "I am concerned about my child's reading fluency because they spend two hours on one page of homework." This creates a paper trail that becomes part of the "data."
Set a Timeline: If the team wants to "wait and see," ask for a data collection period. 6 to 8 weeks is the sweet spot; it’s long enough to see a trend but short enough to keep things moving.
Collect Your Own Data: You are a researcher, too! Keep a simple log of how long homework takes, or notes on emotional meltdowns at home. Your "home data" is a vital part of the full picture.
The Golden Thread: Needs ➡️ Goals ➡️ Services
Think of the IEP as a chain. The Assessment identifies the Need. That need determines the Goal. And finally, the goal determines the Service.
If the assessment says your child has a "need" in sensory processing, the team creates a "goal" for self-regulation, which then justifies the "service" of Occupational Therapy. By focusing on the assessment data, you are ensuring that the chain remains strong and your child gets exactly what they need to thrive.
Trust your gut, but bring your data. You are your child’s best advocate, and when you combine your heart with the school's data, incredible things can happen.
Not sure how to use the data to support your child? Let’s Navigate the IEP Process Together.
Understanding these complex assessments and what to request for, and knowing how to advocate for your child’s unique needs is confusing. You don't have to do it alone.
If you are struggling to:
Interpret your child’s psycho-educational evaluation and data sheets given to you from the school
Challenge the discrepancy between home data and school date
Develop a strategy to secure appropriate goals and services
Walk into an IEP meeting with confidence.
As a licensed educational psychologist, I offer 1:1 Parent Advocacy Services to guide you step-by-step.
Fill out the Intake Form so I can learn the specifics of your child's needs.
Book your free 15-minute consultation to see exactly how my 1:1 parent advocacy services can support you.
Monica Trost is the founder of Prepared Parent Advocate. She is a non-attorney advocate, licensed educational psychologist, and mother of children with disabilities. She works with families virtually across California.
LEP #4660
Monica Trost
Prepared Parent Advocate
Licensed Educational Psychologist #4660
1460 Maria Ln #300, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
(707) 435-3798