The Importance of End-of-Year Assessments in Speech Therapy

Hi SLP friends! 👋🏼

I have something to say, and it might not be what you want to hear, but… we need to do assessments at the end of the school year for our progress reports.

I know, I know—but hear me out!

As we gear up for the final stretch of the school year, let’s talk about why those end-of-year progress reports are more than just a box to check. Informal assessments aren’t just another thing on your to-do list; they’re like a GPS guiding us toward lasting speech therapy success.

While it may be tempting to just report on what a student has done over the past nine weeks (or whatever your reporting period is), taking the time for a simple, informal assessment can provide so much more insight—and, if you’re using the right tools, it can actually save you time!

Not sold yet? Let’s break it down 👇🏼

The Pros of End-of-Year Assessments 📊

1. Track Progress

Ever wonder how far your students have come since day one? End-of-year assessments give us that big-picture view. They help us see long-term progress, celebrate those wins, and determine what still needs work. Looking at data from start to finish helps validate all the hard work you and your students have put in!

2. Check Goals

Remember those goals we set at the beginning of the year? Now’s the time to see how they’re holding up. Are students meeting them? Do some need a little extra time or tweaking? Assessments help us determine which goals have been crushed and which ones need a bit more attention—this is key for planning next year’s objectives.

3. Plan Ahead

Having assessment data makes us better prepared for the upcoming year. It’s like leaving yourself notes for future you! When you return after summer break, you won’t have to scramble to remember where each student left off. Instead, you’ll have a clear roadmap for who needs what, making transitions into the new school year much smoother.

4. Share the Wins

We don’t do this work alone! End-of-year assessments give us something to share with parents, teachers, and other team members. Progress reports provide concrete evidence of how much a student has improved, which can be incredibly motivating for everyone involved—especially the child! Kids love to see their own progress, and celebrating their growth boosts their confidence.

5. Celebrate the Hard Work

Speaking of celebrating—progress, no matter how big or small, deserves recognition. Whether a student has mastered a tough speech sound, improved their fluency, or gained confidence in communication, it’s worth acknowledging. And let’s not forget about you! These assessments also show how much you’ve accomplished as an SLP over the year. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind, but taking a step back to see the progress you’ve facilitated is a great reminder of the impact you’re making.

Assessments don’t have to be overwhelming. Keep them simple, make them work for you, and use them as a tool to guide your therapy and celebrate growth. The end of the year is a time to reflect, recognize, and reset for the future. So take a deep breath, grab your assessment tools, and finish strong!

Happy speeching!

Sources

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). "Using Informal Assessments in Speech Therapy." www.asha.org

• Paul, R., & Norbury, C. (2012). Language Disorders from Infancy Through Adolescence: Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Communicating. Mosby.