How to Manage a Data-Based Classroom

Managing a data-based classroom can be extremely daunting and time-consuming. Don’t worry, though! I have some tips and tricks to help make it easier for you and your staff!

Color-Code Everything

First and foremost, one of the easiest ways to organize your caseload is to color-code by student. I color code data folders/binders, cubbies, clipboards, clicker counters, and IEP goal bins. Each year, if I have the same students, their colors remain the same to make it easy on myself and the students. I love to use these colored sticker dots to help with color-coding around the classroom. Color-coding is a quick, easy way to identify your students and the materials you need to work with them.

Gather Needed Tools

In a data-based classroom, there are a few tools that can make your data collection easier. I like to keep these items on hand:

Pilot Frixion Pens and Highlighters
- for easy erasing of data collecting mistakes (we all make mistakes, and it’s easier than white out!)
Clipboards
- for mobile data collection
Clicker Counters
- helpful for frequency counts
Timers
- for transitions and interval data

progress monitoring data collection system: IEP goal bins

Create Goal Bins

Next, organize all materials for data collection and goal work into bins. These will serve as a student’s IEP goal bins. As stated above, I like to color-code my goal bins based on each student’s color, however, you may choose to set them up differently. Truly, it’s what works best for you! Here is a step-by-step blog on how to set up your own IEP goal bins! Within a goal bin, I include pens, pencils, highlighters, manipulatives, and data sheets. IEP goal bins are easy to access when you or staff are working with a specific student, keep academic data all in one place so you don’t misplace it, and include all of the materials you would need to work with that student.

data based classroom — Data sheets are easy to access

Data Placement

If you have specific life skills, social skills, or behavioral goals for your students, you may want to place your data sheets in easy-to-find places. If you’re like me, you might have students who are put on a toilet training schedule. I like to keep these data sheets hanging outside of the bathroom for quick data collection. Toothbrushing and hand washing data sheets are located on the wall next to the sink. Morning data and pack-up data sheets are located at the end of the cubbies/lockers. These data sheets are always in these specific spots so all staff knows where to find them and can easily access them. I keep behavior data sheets on color-coded clipboards so that it can be carried with the student as the student moves around the school building. You can find all of the data sheets I use daily here!

Organize and Analyze

Coming back to the color-coding of my students, I use folders that match the colors I use for the students. Once data sheets or worksheets are completed, staff will collect them in a color-coded folder. At the end of the week, they are moved to the hanging file folder, which is located next to my desk. This makes it easier for me as I enter progress monitoring data or progress report data into my computer. In the hanging file folder, I also keep originals of each student’s data sheets so that staff can make more copies as needed.

Train Your Staff

Finally, the most important tip I have for you to manage your data-based classroom is to TRAIN YOUR STAFF. It is so important to make sure that each staff member in your classroom is on the same page. This helps to keep undesirable student behaviors lower, helps communication between staff, and will keep things running smoothly if you have to step out of the room. Things that seem simple and self-explanatory to you may not seem that way to staff members, so be sure to meet with them, explain the steps, and follow up for fidelity. One of the best ways to help to train your staff is to set up paraprofessional binders. These are beneficial for staff to access rules or routines if you are unavailable or for them to study on their own time. Check out this blog on tips to train your paraprofessionals in your classroom.