A learning progression is a research-based framework showing how students develop knowledge and skills from simple to complex levels over time within a subject area.
What is a Learning Progression?
A learning progression maps the pathway students typically follow as they develop understanding in a subject—from foundational concepts to sophisticated mastery. Unlike a curriculum that prescribes what to teach, progressions describe how learning naturally unfolds based on cognitive research. In reading, for example, a progression might trace development from letter recognition through decoding, fluency, comprehension, and finally critical analysis. For homeschoolers, learning progressions provide a developmental roadmap that helps identify where a child currently stands, what comes next, and whether progress is on track—regardless of grade-level expectations.
Key Takeaways
- Based on research about how students naturally develop understanding in each subject
- Describes developmental pathways, not prescribed curriculum content
- Helps identify current skill level and appropriate next steps
- Allows homeschoolers to move students at their own pace through established milestones
- Different from scope and sequence, which focuses on what content to teach when
Learning Progressions vs. Scope and Sequence
These terms often appear together but serve different purposes. Scope and sequence asks "what content will we cover and in what order?"—it's a curriculum planning framework. Learning progressions ask "how do students naturally develop understanding?"—it's a developmental framework. A math scope and sequence might say "teach fractions in third grade." A learning progression describes the cognitive steps from understanding parts of wholes, to comparing fractions, to operations with fractions. Ideally, your scope and sequence should align with natural learning progressions so instruction matches how children's minds actually develop.
Why Progressions Matter for Homeschoolers
Homeschooling's core advantage is meeting children where they actually are, not where their age says they should be. Learning progressions support this by providing multiple entry points based on demonstrated skills rather than grade level. A child struggling with reading isn't "behind"—they're at a specific point in the reading progression and need instruction targeted to that point. Similarly, an advanced child can move through progression levels faster without artificial grade-level ceilings. Progressions turn "Is my child on track?" from an anxiety-inducing comparison to a useful diagnostic question.
Using Progressions in Practice
Start by understanding the progression for each subject you're teaching. Many state standards documents include progression frameworks, and curriculum publishers often map their materials to developmental sequences. Assess where your child currently functions—not their age or grade, but their actual demonstrated skills. Then identify the next appropriate step in the progression and choose curriculum or activities targeting that specific level. Reassess periodically. A child might be at different points in different subject progressions, and that's perfectly normal.
The Bottom Line
Learning progressions give homeschool parents a research-based framework for understanding how skills develop, freeing them from rigid grade-level expectations while providing meaningful benchmarks. Rather than asking whether your child is "at grade level," progressions let you ask more useful questions: Where is my child now? What's the next natural step? Are they making progress? This developmental perspective is one of homeschooling's greatest advantages—and progressions help you leverage it intentionally.
