Create Progress-Monitoring Aimlines in Google Sheets

This method isn’t my own invention—it’s a widely used progress-monitoring approach based on standard CBM (Curriculum-Based Measurement) practices. I originally learned it from a literacy coach in my district, and you can find similar versions on well-known sites such as Intervention Central’s ChartDog.

Over the years, I’ve tried many ways to chart student growth, but this Google Sheets method is simple, clear, and updates automatically

 

Directions

1. Pick a progress monitoring tool. For example, grade 3 DIBELS Nonsense Word Fluency.
2. Give the first assessment and start a table like I have below. Place the score in both columns. Let’s say the child, “Tim,” read 2 words correctly. The June goal is 31, so that means Tim must increase by 29 words.

3. Next, decide how often you will assess Tim. Perhaps 2x each month. Add this to the table. As you can see below, you will progress monitor 17 more times until June.

4. Tim read 2 words correctly, and the goal is 31, so he’s 29 words shy of the June goal. 29 words divided by 17 testing days means he needs to improve by 1.7 words at each assessment.

5. Go to the September Target Line—that is C3. You need to remember C3.

Now, highlight the box below it.

Hit the function key, which is the sideways “M” as shown in the lower right corner. It can be found by clicking the 3 dots.

6. Under function, hit SUM.

8. Enter this calculation:  C3 + 1.7. Then hit TAB. This means that the digit in C3, which is 2, needs to be increased by 1.7 words at each assessment point.

9. Now you have:

This shows that the first time you assess in October, you are hoping Tim reads close to 4 words correctly.

10. Put your cursor on the blue dot, and drag it down to June. The numbers will populate.

11. Highlight the above table and hit Insert, Chart, Line Graph. The blue line shows the PM, and the red line shows the goal. This graph automatically populates when you enter each new PM score.

11/11/25