Amanda Bynes -- Judge Praises Mom for Job Well Done

Amanda Bynes has made progress by leaps and bounds, and today the judge in her conservatorship case credited her mother for the shocking progress.

TMZ broke the story ... Lynn Bynes became Amanda's conservator during her darkest hours -- after she started a fire in a neighbor's driveway and soaked her dog in gasoline. TMZ first reported doctors later diagnosed her with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Today Lynn and Rick Bynes appeared in Oxnard court ... to sort out Lynn's duties as conservator.

The judge made it short and sweet, saying, "Good job, Mrs. Bynes. Well done."

Amanda is now living at her parent's home and is attending fashion design classes in the O.C.