Curriculum-based measurement (CBM)
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Curriculum-based measurement is a set of brief, standardized, timed probes that measure a general skill, such as reading or math, to track growth over time.
Topic: Evaluation and assessment
In plain terms
CBM probes take one to a few minutes and are scored in a set way, such as words read correctly in one minute or digits correct in two minutes. Each probe is an equivalent form, so scores can be compared week to week and graphed. CBM measures overall proficiency in a skill area, not just what was taught that week, which makes it a good indicator of real growth.
How it shows up in an IEP
CBM is one of the strongest ways to measure academic IEP goals because it produces a baseline, a target and frequent data in the same unit. Many published CBM tools include growth norms to help set ambitious targets.
Example
A goal states: "Given a third-grade CBM reading passage, the student will read 90 words correct per minute." The teacher gives one probe weekly and graphs the scores against the goal line.
Related terms
- Progress monitoringProgress monitoring is the regular, repeated measurement of a student's performance on a skill to check whether instruction is working.
- WCPM (words correct per minute)WCPM is the number of words a student reads correctly in one minute from a passage, used to measure oral reading fluency.
- Digits correct per minuteDigits correct per minute is a math fluency measure that counts each correct digit in a student's answers on a timed probe, divided by minutes.
- Correct word sequencesCorrect word sequences is a writing measure that counts each pair of adjacent words that is correctly spelled and grammatically acceptable in context.
- ProbeA probe is a brief check of a skill, given without teaching or help, to see what the student can do independently at that moment.
- Goal line (aimline)A goal line is a line on a progress graph drawn from the baseline to the annual target, showing the rate of growth needed to meet the goal.
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