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Assess, Plan, Do, Review (APDR) Cycle

The Plan-Do-Review cycle (often expanded as Assess, Plan, Do, Review) is a four-part continuous framework used mainly in education and special educational needs (SEN) support. It helps teachers and specialists track student progress, identify learning barriers, and adjust targeted support over time.

The Four Stages​

  • Assess: Gather facts, observations, and data from teachers, parents, and the student to find out what areas need help.
  • Plan: Agree on specific goals, target outcomes, and the exact type of support or extra help to give.
  • Do: Put the agreed plan into action in the classroom or daily routine.
  • Review: Check if the plan worked by looking at new progress data and getting feedback from everyone involved.

Why the Cycle Matters​

  • Continuous Progress: It is a repeating loop, not a one-time fix, meaning support changes as the student grows.
  • Collaboration: It keeps parents, teachers, and specialists working together toward clear goals.
  • Flexibility: It lets schools see if a child still needs special help or if they are ready to move forward without it.
  • Learning Intro - see the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) section for a similar continuous-improvement loop applied to personal learning
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