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Simply Special Ed

Resource Downloads & Teaching Advice

Blog Data IEP Organization

How to Calculate Behavior Data

Data collection and calculation as a teacher can be tedious and one of the more difficult parts of the job. Behavior data especially can be tricky because so much happens in the moment! Finding simple ways to collect data can help you stress less.

behavior data chart to calculate tallies about behavior

My school’s behavior data form

My school is a behavioral school, so we use a specific form that we refer to as the student’s “school note”. The school note is broken down by each period of the day in 20 minute intervals, since each period is 40 minutes.

It is then broken down into categories: PP (prompt and prepared), TC (task completition), CO (compliance), I (interpersonal), and Safe (safety). The student can either earn a 1 or a 0 for each category. The points are then tallied at the end of the day. The highest amount of points they can earn is 100.

We also have something called a level 4, since our school functions on a level system. A level 4 is earned when a student does something unsafe or is bullying someone. Staff can write down the total number of level 4’s at the bottom of the sheet at the end of the day. They can also write down the number of physical interventions, if any, the student received that day.

Parents are expected to sign the form each night and return it to school the next day. While most schools will not have this extensive of a data tracking form, this form is very helpful in tracking behavioral trends and data. It is also easy to use and only takes a couple of minutes at the end of each period to fill out the form. Paraprofessionals also fill out the form throughout the day as needed.

You can use my school’s form as a guide to create your own form.

behavior data chart to calculate daily behavior

Use forms from Simply Special Ed

Simply Special Ed has tons of great behavior data forms that you can use with your students. These simple data forms are easy to use. You can track specific goals, such as data on how the student does with packing up independently. There are tons of other goals listed in these forms, as well as opportunities to write in specific goals.

You can track in the boxes if the student completes the task independently, needs a full prompt, or a partial prompt. These are simple to fill out and keep in a student data binder to track trends.

You can also read this SSE blog on how to collect digital data using QR codes.

behavior data chart to calculate behavior

Keep a daily journal

In the past, I have used a composition notebook to record behavior data daily in anecdotal notes. The notebook went back and forth between myself and the family. I would jot down notes throughout the day as things happened, and spend a few minutes of my planning time updating it.

This was another great way for me to track behavior data and any issues that came up. Typically, the parent/guardian would write me a note back to let me know they read it, ask any follow up questions, etc. You can also glue in copies of other behavior data sheets.

This is a great tool to bring to IEP meetings and any other meetings to discuss data. You can pinpoint specific days and times things occurred. This is a great way to foster the home to school connection.

composition notebook with a behavior tracker to calculate behavior

Rely on experts

It can be overwhelming, especially for new teachers, to collect and make sense of all the data. Even I as a teacher of nine years still struggle with this!

Don’t be afraid to ask for help from people in your building/organization. Depending on where you work, you may have people available to help such as behavior specialists, instructional coaches, etc.

People in these types of positions are typically more than happy to come in and observe in your classroom. You can have them observe one specific student, or just the class in general.

They can offer you pointers on data collection and calculation. They also may let you know if they believe the student needs a more intensive support, like a behavior plan or FBA.

Two women talking

These are some easy ways to calculate behavior data in the classroom that can also build a relationship with families!

Want to learn about IEP Goal Bins? Join Simple Centers System

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Hi amazing teachers!
I'm Alyssa Shanahan -- a former Elementary Special Ed & Life Skills teacher. My classroom focus was always to keep things simple, increase communication, and build independence. Simply Special Ed's goal is to help teachers and students reach their full potential in and out of the classroom!

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