A learning progression outlines the path students take as they understand a subject, from basic ideas to advanced skills. It helps you see where your child is in their learning journey and what steps to take next.
A survey of 232 unschooling families by Boston College researcher Peter Gray found that 83% of grown unschoolers pursued higher education, and the majority reported that the self-direction they developed as children was a significant advantage in college and careers (Gray & Riley, 2015). According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), approximately 3.3 million students were homeschooled in the United States as of 2023, representing roughly 6% of the school-age population.
What is learning progression?
Learning progression shows how students usually grow in a subject. It starts with basic concepts and moves to advanced skills. Unlike a curriculum that tells you what to teach, progressions explain how learning happens based on research. For instance, in reading, kids might go from recognizing letters to decoding words, then to understanding and analyzing texts. For homeschoolers, learning progressions act as a guide. They help you see where your child is, what's next, and if they're making progress—no matter their grade.
Learning progressions vs. scope and sequence
You often hear these terms together, but they mean different things. Scope and sequence asks, 'What will we teach and in what order?' It's about planning the curriculum. Learning progressions focus on 'How do students naturally learn?' It's more about development. For example, a scope and sequence might state, 'Teach fractions in third grade.' In contrast, a learning progression explains the steps from understanding parts of a whole to comparing and operating with fractions. Ideally, your planning should match these natural learning progressions.
Why progressions matter for homeschoolers
One big advantage of homeschooling is that you can meet kids where they really are, not where their age says they should be. Learning progressions help with this by offering different starting points based on skills, not grades. If a child struggles with reading, they’re not 'behind'; they’re just at a certain level in the progression and need help for that level. An advanced child can also move through levels faster without being held back by grades. Instead of worrying if your child is 'on track,' you can ask, 'Where are they now?'
Using progressions in practice
Begin by learning the progression for each subject. Many state standards have frameworks to help. Check where your child is based on their skills, not their age. Then find the next step in the progression and choose materials that match that level. It's normal for a child to be at different places in different subjects. Reassess their progress regularly.
The bottom line
Learning progressions give homeschool parents a research-backed way to understand skill development. They free you from strict grade expectations while offering real benchmarks. Instead of asking if your child is 'at grade level,' you can ask, 'What’s the next step?' This view is a huge benefit of homeschooling, and with BetterSchool’s help, you can use progressions to guide your teaching.
