top of page

BASELINE ASSESSMENTS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION: WHAT TO ASSESS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR

  • Writer: Laura
    Laura
  • 52 minutes ago
  • 3 min read

The start of a new school year brings fresh faces, new IEPs, and one big question: Where do I begin? Baseline assessments are your answer. In special education, especially when working with students with cognitive disabilities, early assessments are essential to shape instruction, set meaningful goals, and provide the right support from day one.


Colorful pens and pencils on white background with pastel papers. Text reads "ASSESSING STUDENTS at the beginning of the year."

Let’s break down what you should assess and why it matters.

Academic Skills

Start with the basics. Assess foundational reading and math skills to understand each student’s starting point:

  • Reading: Letter and sound recognition, CVC word decoding, sight word fluency, and comprehension.

  • Math: Number recognition, counting, one-to-one correspondence, and basic operations aligned with IEP goals.


Pro Tip: Use this data to adapt instruction and identify which grade-level alternate standards are appropriate for each student.

Communication Skills

Functional Skills

Social Skills & Behavior

Four students engaged in discussion at a table, smiling and attentive. Bright classroom setting, one holding a pencil, wearing casual shirts.

“But They’re Already on an IEP—Why Assess Again?”


Great question. Students come to us from a variety of classrooms, teaching styles, and support levels. A student's IEP tells us the progress they are making towards one specific skill, but it does not tell us where a student is in relation to the grade-level standards.  

Baseline assessments give you:

  • A fresh, current snapshot of each student's abilities

  • Data to guide your curriculum pacing

  • Insight to skills not captured by students' IEP goals


Sometimes, IEP goals are outdated or oddly specific. And if your students are transitioning between buildings, like from elementary to middle school, you may need to shift instructional focus anyway.


How I Use Assessments to Build My Pacing Guide

IEP goals are not the curriculum. They’re targets, but your pacing guide is the map. I assess before finalizing my yearlong plan to make sure my instructional sequence aligns with both the IEP and grade-level alternate standards.


So, what do we assess? Here is a list of assessments I typically choose from. Of course, some students will require 1:1 and some creative trial and error.


Academic & Functional Assessments:

Phonemic Awareness – Tools like the PAST or QPAS (free online)

Basic Reading Skills – Letter ID, sounds, blends/digraphs, sight words, fluency, comprehension

Basic Math Skills – Colors, shapes, number ID, rote and skip counting, 1:1 correspondence, subitizing, operations

Pink polka dot clipboard with a filled personal info form for "Ross," dated 4/23/25. Pink pens visible on a wooden surface.
Download the free Personal Info Assessment in the resource library.

Curriculum Placement Tests:

After reviewing reading and math data, I use curriculum placement tests to place students appropriately within our curriculum materials, like Reading Mastery.

Pink binder with placement test page, pastel sticky notes, pens with patterns, and highlighters on a white background.

Behavioral Assessments:

  • Classroom observations (general and special ed settings)

  • ABC data collection for any students with behavior plans or challenging behavior


What If There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Tool?

Spoiler alert: There isn’t. We use the Brigance in my district, which is a solid option. However, I have created my own assessments and combined them with other assessments I have found throughout the years to accurately assess all the areas listed above.


You’ll likely have to build your own assessment toolbox. But the good news? Once you’ve got it, it makes back-to-school season 1000x easier.



Don’t Forget: Collect Data on Previous IEP Goals

Check previous progress reports. Collect baseline data on any continuing IEP goals so you can track regression, growth, or stagnation right away. Add this info to your data sheets and keep it in the student’s file. It’ll be gold when they transition to another school or teacher.


Why Assessing Early Sets You (and Your Students) Up for Success

Early assessments = better planning. They allow you to:

  • Tailor instruction to student's needs

  • Identify regression or progress over the summer

  • Build accurate data sheets for progress monitoring

  • Adjust IEP goals or supports based on current performance


Most importantly, they help you create a classroom environment that’s both supportive and challenging, right from day one.




apple-element.png

FEATURED BLOG POSTS

bottom of page