Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are writing to share some exciting news about how we will be assessing student growth this year. After careful study and input from our faculty, we have adopted the True Progress assessment platform for our school.
Why True Progress?
Developed With—and for—Independent LD Schools
True Progress was created over the past fifteen years in close collaboration with independent schools like ours that specialize in supporting students who learn differently. It speaks the same language we do—small class sizes, individualized instruction, and a whole-child approach—so it fits far better than large public district tests built for very different environments.Instruction-Level Testing, Not Grade-Level Guesswork
Traditional tests can lock students into a single grade level, even when that level does not match the student’s current skills. True Progress allows us to assess each child at their instructional level. That means we measure true growth from where your child is actually working, and we can see progress right where instruction is happening.Nationally Normed Benchmarks
Although the test was built for independent schools, it is also nationally normed. This lets us compare your child’s growth to meaningful benchmarks while still honoring the unique mission and curriculum of our school.Transparency That Fuels Better Teaching
Teachers can review every test question and every student's response. This level of visibility helps us pinpoint specific skills, adjust instruction immediately, and communicate clearly with students and families.Accessibility Features That Matter
• Audio narration for every math question lets us measure real math learning, unbiased by reading levels.
• Shorter, more frequent check-ins replace longer exams, so tests feel like quick progress snapshots rather than endurance challenges.
• Three tiers of assessment (screener, diagnostic, and in-depth inventory) allow us to keep testing light when students are on track and provide deeper insight only when needed.
A Fuller Picture of Learning
True Progress is only one part of how we understand your child’s learning. We layer its data with:
Classroom work, projects, and participation
Teacher observations and professional insights
Other specialized assessments we already use
Students themselves tell us they find these assessments less stressful, more engaging, and better suited to showing what they’ve truly learned. By combining all of these perspectives, we gain the most accurate and supportive view of each learner.
What to Expect
Students will take brief True Progress assessments several times during the year. Each session is designed to be short and stress-free. Results will help teachers fine-tune instruction and keep you informed about your child’s progress.
If you have any questions about True Progress or how we will use the information it provides, please reach out to us. We are confident this change will help us understand and support your child’s learning more effectively than ever.
Thank you for your continued partnership.
Warm regards,
[Name]
[School Name]