Decoding Data Tracker Decoding Data Tracker
Progress Monitoring: Phonic Analysis & Word Recognition
IEP DATA
Target: Up to 6 Sounds
Student Name:
Date:
Level 1: 3-4 Sounds (Digraphs / CCVC / CVCC)
Target Word ✓ ✗ Error Analysis / Notes ship frog tent brush clam
Level 2: 5 Sounds (CCVCC / CCCVC)
Target Word ✓ ✗ Error Analysis / Notes stamp blend strap frost shrimp
Level 3: 6 Sounds (Complex Blends)
Target Word ✓ ✗ Error Analysis / Notes sprint strand thrill sculpt strict
Session Summary
Total Correct
/ 15
Accuracy %
%
Prompts Used
None / Visual / Phonemic
Observations:
Encoding Data Tracker Encoding Data Tracker
Progress Monitoring: Phoneme-Grapheme Mapping & Spelling
IEP DATA
Target: Up to 6 Sounds
Student Name:
Date:
2 points: Phonetically accurate & correct spelling
1 point: Phonetically accurate (e.g., "stik" for stick)
0 points: Incorrect phoneme representation
Intermediate Patterns (4-5 Sounds)
Target Word Student Spelling Score Phoneme Analysis (Blends/Digraphs) blast (5) 0 - 1 - 2 crush (4) 0 - 1 - 2 spend (5) 0 - 1 - 2 trust (5) 0 - 1 - 2 floss (4) 0 - 1 - 2
Advanced Patterns (5-6 Sounds)
Target Word Student Spelling Score Phoneme Analysis (Blends/Digraphs) scrunch (6) 0 - 1 - 2 strict (6) 0 - 1 - 2 sprint (6) 0 - 1 - 2 strength (6) 0 - 1 - 2 splash (5) 0 - 1 - 2
Quantitative Summary
Points Earned: _____ / 20
Percentage: ____ %
Common Error Types
Initial Blends
Final Blends
Digraphs
Vowel Confusion
Phoneme Omission
Reversals
Qualitative Notes (Effort, Self-Correction):
Master Word Bank Master Word Bank
Reference List for Decoding & Encoding Assessments
TEACHER TOOL
Levels: 3-6 Sounds
1
3-4 Sounds (Digraphs/Blends)
Digraphs (sh, ch, th, wh, ck)
ship chat thin whip luck moth shop chin path
Beginning Blends (CCVC)
frog clam trip grab skin plug snap drag spin
Ending Blends (CVCC)
tent mask belt lamp hand milk bump gift soft
2
5 Sounds (Complex)
Double Blends (CCVCC)
stamp blast crisp blend frost plank drink clump trust
3-Letter Blends (CCCVC)
strap split scrap shrub throb spray strip strut splat
Digraph Blends
shrimp branch thrash crunch quench drench wrench thrush shred
3
6 Sounds (CCCVCC / Complex Digraphs)
The "Super Six" Lists
sprint
strand
script
strict
scrunch
More Complex Blends
strength
sculpt
squint
scrambled
splashes
Testing Tips
• Avoid showing words during encoding tests.
• For decoding, use clear, large-font flashcards (1 word at a time).
• Count sounds together before writing if the student struggles with phonemic awareness.
How to use this Word Bank
Select 10-15 words from the relevant level for each assessment session. Mix familiar and unfamiliar words to ensure true decoding/encoding mastery rather than rote memorization. Rotate lists weekly to keep data fresh for IEP reporting.
Sound Goal Bank Sound Goal Bank
IEP Goal & Objective Templates: Decoding & Encoding
IEP RESOURCE
Levels: 3-6 Sounds
Writing Smart Literacy Goals
When drafting goals for students with phonological processing needs, ensure that the "Condition" (e.g., given a list of 10 words) and "Criteria" (e.g., 80% accuracy over 3 sessions) are clear. Use the templates below to align with the Sound Scientist Data trackers.
Decoding (Reading) Goals
Intermediate: 4-5 Sounds SMART TEMPLATE
Annual Goal:
Given a list of 10-15 unfamiliar, single-syllable words containing 4 to 5 sounds (including initial and final blends), [Student Name] will accurately decode the words with 80% accuracy over 4 out of 5 consecutive trials, as measured by teacher observation and data collection.
Objective 1
Decoding 4-sound words with CCVC/CVCC patterns (e.g., frog, tent) with 80% accuracy.
Objective 2
Decoding 5-sound words with CCVCC/CCCVC patterns (e.g., blast, strap) with 70% accuracy.
Advanced: 6 Sounds SMART TEMPLATE
Annual Goal:
By [Date], when presented with word cards containing complex, single-syllable structures (CCCVCC) with up to 6 sounds, [Student Name] will apply phonics skills to decode with 75% accuracy across weekly progress monitoring probes.
Encoding (Spelling) Goals
Phonetic Encoding (4-5 Sounds) SMART TEMPLATE
Annual Goal:
Given a dictated list of 10 words with 4 to 5 sounds (blends and digraphs), [Student Name] will represent all phonemes in each word with 90% phonetic accuracy (conventional spelling not required), as measured by the Encoding Data Tracker.
Conventional Mastery (Up to 6 Sounds) SMART TEMPLATE
Annual Goal:
When dictated words containing 5 to 6 sounds (including triple blends and complex digraph endings), [Student Name] will spell the words correctly with 80% accuracy across 3 consecutive assessments.
Note on Scoring
Use the 2-point scoring system (Phonetic vs. Conventional) from the Encoding Data Tracker to measure intermediate progress toward this goal.
Frequency
Every 1-2 weeks
Environment
1:1 or small group
Data Type
Trial-based / Percentage
Sound Scientist Para Guide Sound Scientist Para Guide
Facilitation & Prompting Guide for Data Collection
FACILITATION
Standardized Procedures
Decoding (Reading)
Select word list from Master Word Bank .
Present one word card at a time.
"Read this word for me."
Mark ✓ for immediate or self-corrected.
Mark ✗ for errors and write exactly what they said in the notes.
Encoding (Spelling)
Say the word clearly.
Use it in a simple sentence.
"Spell [word] on your paper."
Score 2 pts for perfect spelling.
Score 1 pt if it sounds right but is spelled wrong (e.g., "stik").
Prompting Hierarchy: How much help?
Level 1 Wait
Wait Time (3-5 Seconds)
Give the student time to process. Do not interrupt their thinking.
Level 2 Visual
Visual Cue
Point to the specific part of the word (the blend or digraph) they missed.
Level 3 Modeling
Sound It Out Together
"Let's tap it: /f/ /r/ /o/ /g/." Note: Mark as Incorrect (✗) if this level of help is needed.
Error Analysis Tips
Omissions
Student leaves out a sound in a blend (e.g., "fog" for "frog").
Reversals
Student swaps sounds (e.g., "forg" for "frog").
Substitutions
Student uses a similar sound (e.g., "vrog" for "frog").
Para Pro-Tips
Stay Neutral: Don't give "the look" or head shakes when they are wrong. Keep a steady, encouraging tone.Record Errors: Writing the exact mistake is more helpful than just marking ✗. It helps the teacher plan the next lesson.Engagement: Use a timer or "Scientist of the Week" stickers to keep the session feeling like a game.
Questions? Ask the Lead Special Educator for a demonstration.
Training Complete
Decoding Tracker Probe B Decoding Tracker: Probe B
Alternative Word List for Secondary Progress Monitoring
IEP DATA
Target: Up to 6 Sounds
Student Name:
Date:
Level 1: 3-4 Sounds (Digraphs & Blends)
Target Word ✓ ✗ Error Analysis / Notes chat luck mask trip hand
Level 2: 5 Sounds (CCVCC / CCCVC)
Target Word ✓ ✗ Error Analysis / Notes crisp drink split plank shrub
Level 3: 6 Sounds (Complex Structures)
Target Word ✓ ✗ Error Analysis / Notes script scrunch squint strength blends
Score:
/ 15
Accuracy:
%
Encoding Tracker Probe B Encoding Tracker: Probe B
Alternative Word List for Secondary Progress Monitoring
IEP DATA
Target: Up to 6 Sounds
Student Name:
Date:
2 points: Correct spelling
1 point: Phonetically accurate
0 points: Incorrect sounds
Intermediate Patterns (4-5 Sounds)
Target Word Student Spelling Score Phoneme Analysis grand (5) 0 - 1 - 2 blink (5) 0 - 1 - 2 cloth (4) 0 - 1 - 2 swept (5) 0 - 1 - 2 throb (4) 0 - 1 - 2
Advanced Patterns (5-6 Sounds)
Target Word Student Spelling Score Phoneme Analysis scrimp (6) 0 - 1 - 2 script (6) 0 - 1 - 2 squint (6) 0 - 1 - 2 strand (6) 0 - 1 - 2 prompt (6) 0 - 1 - 2
Quantitative Summary
Points Earned: _____ / 20
Percentage: ____ %
Common Error Types
Initial Blends
Final Blends
Digraphs
Vowel Confusion
Decoding Tracker Probe C Decoding Tracker: Probe C
Alternative Word List for Tertiary Progress Monitoring
IEP DATA
Target: Up to 6 Sounds
Student Name:
Date:
Level 1: 3-4 Sounds (Digraphs & Blends)
Target Word ✓ ✗ Error Analysis / Notes thin plug milk chop fast
Level 2: 5 Sounds (CCVCC / CCCVC)
Target Word ✓ ✗ Error Analysis / Notes clump trust spray strip quench
Level 3: 6 Sounds (Complex Structures)
Target Word ✓ ✗ Error Analysis / Notes plants stamps strength thrifts cramps
Score:
/ 15
Accuracy:
%
Encoding Tracker Probe C Encoding Tracker: Probe C
Alternative Word List for Tertiary Progress Monitoring
IEP DATA
Target: Up to 6 Sounds
Student Name:
Date:
2 points: Correct spelling
1 point: Phonetically accurate
0 points: Incorrect sounds
Intermediate Patterns (4-5 Sounds)
Target Word Student Spelling Score Phoneme Analysis snack (4) 0 - 1 - 2 drift (5) 0 - 1 - 2 brush (4) 0 - 1 - 2 twist (5) 0 - 1 - 2 bench (4) 0 - 1 - 2
Advanced Patterns (5-6 Sounds)
Target Word Student Spelling Score Phoneme Analysis scraps (6) 0 - 1 - 2 stamps (6) 0 - 1 - 2 thrifts (6) 0 - 1 - 2 sculpt (6) 0 - 1 - 2 plants (6) 0 - 1 - 2
Quantitative Summary
Points Earned: _____ / 20
Percentage: ____ %
Common Error Types
Initial Blends
Final Blends
Digraphs
Vowel Confusion
