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Simply Special Ed

Resource Downloads & Teaching Advice

Behavior Blog Data Organization Simple Classroom

How to Setup IEP Goal Bins

Setup for IEP Goal Bins and taking data for goals can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! Let’s make it simple. In this blog post, I am going to walk you through how to setup IEP goal bins. IEP goal bins will help you keep your students’ goals and materials organized so you can focus on what’s important: the students and their data.

The photo above is a filled IEP Goal Bin. You can see here how to make separate bags in the bin for each objective on an IEP. Fill the bags with whatever materials are needed for that objective, then put a label on it for simple organization.
The photo above is a filled IEP Goal Bin. You can see here how to make separate bags in the bin for each objective on an IEP. Fill the bags with whatever materials are needed for that objective, then put a label on it for simple organization.

What is an IEP Goal Bin?

Simply put, an IEP goal bin is a container filled with everything you need to take data on a student’s goals and objectives. It is your one stop shop for each student’s data collection. I spent so much time my first year running back and forth through my room trying to find materials to take data, so I quickly realized not having them in one central location was not going to work. This bin system completely alleviated that issue. All you need is a container per student, a label with the student name, and the materials for each objective. Let’s walk through the setup of an IEP goal bin.

This is an example of  the goal information sheet that goes inside the lid of your IEP Goal Bin. On this sheet, label each objective, list the materials in the bag, and write some instructions for taking data  on this objective. The instructions inside the goal bin will save you and your paraprofessionals tons of time!
This is an example of  the goal information sheet that goes inside the lid of your IEP Goal Bin. On this sheet, label each objective, list the materials in the bag, and write some instructions for taking data  on this objective. The instructions inside the goal bin will save you and your paraprofessionals tons of time!

What goes inside an IEP Goal Bin?

The simplest way I found to setup an IEP goal bin is to go through the student’s IEP, make a list of objectives by goal area, and write out which materials I need for each objective. Once I have this list drafted out, I will gather up all the materials to put in the bin. When everything is ready to go, I will type a finalized list by objective to tape into the inside of the bin. For example, on the list I wrote “Math Objective 1: Number ID- printed number cards.” I do the same for each objective on the student’s IEP. The objective list lays out everything we need, so we are prepared for every goal session. It makes it simple for me and my staff to pull out what we need for whichever objective we’re tracking.

Here you can see an example of the type of data schedule I use. Each student is color coded on the left, then I color code objectives by goal. On the data sheet I use in my classroom I type out the title of the objectives for each student. For example, for student one on Monday I could have "Number identification," "Trace pre-writing shapes," "Follow visual/verbal direction," "Remain in space."
Here you can see an example of the type of data schedule I use. Each student is color coded on the left, then I color code objectives by goal. On the data sheet I use in my classroom I type out the title of the objectives for each student. For example, for student one on Monday I could have “Number identification,” “Trace pre-writing shapes,” “Follow visual/verbal direction,” “Remain in space.”

Data Schedule

We have a data schedule so we can map out which objectives we need to track each day. I rotate this schedule to ensure we keep valid data. I print the schedule out, laminate it, and attach a dry erase marker to it so we can mark off objectives as we complete them each day. There are so many goals and objectives we track daily, so we need a schedule to keep us organized.

This system made it simple for us to stay on top of all data collection. You can see an example of this schedule above. I color code each goal area so my staff and I know what type of objective we are working on. For example, all reading objectives are red, and all math objectives are blue. I color code on the data schedule, on the data sheets, and on the list inside the IEP goal bin. You can find the data sheets I use in the Simply Special Ed TpT store here. I use the editable version so I can customize the data sheet to fit our needs.

Here is a deconstructed look at what is inside the IEP Goal Bin. You can easily pick out what you need for the objective you need to take data on and get right to work with your student. Make it simple!
Here is a deconstructed look at what is inside the IEP Goal Bin. You can easily pick out what you need for the objective you need to take data on and get right to work with your student. Make it simple!

IEP Goal Bin Organization

Let’s talk organization. These bins clutter quickly, so I came up with a few ways to stay organized. You can use various sizes of plastic bins depending on what you need. You can find the bins I use here (affiliate link). On the outside of the bin, I Velcro a color coded laminated label with the student’s name to the front. I store the student’s data clipboard on top of the IEP goal bin so all data collection materials stay together, and I keep a color coded cover sheet on the clipboard to ensure confidentiality.

Here you can see a look at the entire IEP Goal Bin system. You'll have your data sheet, you information sheet inside the goal bin lid, and all your materials inside your student's IEP Goal Bin. Keep your data clipboard for each student on top of their IEP Goal Bin so everything you need is in one place.  Simple data!
Here you can see a look at the entire IEP Goal Bin system. You’ll have your data sheet, you information sheet inside the goal bin lid, and all your materials inside your student’s IEP Goal Bin. Keep your data clipboard for each student on top of their IEP Goal Bin so everything you need is in one place.  Simple data!

Inside the bin, I put all materials into plastic bags. I label the bags with the material name and goal area. What I write on the bag is the same as what I put on the list inside the goal bin. For instance, I’ll put sight word flashcards into one bag, and on the bag I will label it with “Reading Objective 1: sight words #1-10”. I include a separate bag for miscellaneous materials, like pencils, crayons, adapted scissors, etc.

IEp goal data and bin
I color code my data clipboards and the name label on their IEP Goal Bin to keep all our materials organized. This helps make sure none of your students’ data sheets or IEP Goal Bins get mixed up.

Data organization doesn’t need to be complicated. It can be simple! My IEP goal bins have been a game changer for my classroom. I’ve added a video walkthrough below to show you everything inside the bins. I hope this blog post on how to setup IEP goal bins gave you some ideas on how you can better organize your data collection materials.

If you liked my IEP goal bin setup, make sure you check out my Socially Distanced Classroom Setup K-2 blog post here. Any questions? Ask away!

Related Posts:

  • 5 IEP Goal for Severe-Profound Teachers
    5 IEP Goal for Severe-Profound Teachers
  • Sensory Bins on a Budget
    Sensory Bins on a Budget
  • Holiday Sensory Bins
    Holiday Sensory Bins
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Comments

  1. Krista Taylor says

    October 19, 2020 at 5:38 pm

    Hi there. I love the IEP Goals bin. I wonder how you are tracking on the Data form. Also do you have a template?
    Are you documenting each time and if they needed prompts?
    Thanks so much
    Krista

    • Whitney Kaiser says

      October 24, 2020 at 11:38 pm

      Thank you for reading! You can find the data sheets I use on the Simply Special Ed shop or TpT store. I customize mine by adding text boxes. We track prompt levels on some tasks and accuracy on some tasks. I put in specific instructions for each objective on my data sheets. I hope this was helpful!

  2. Bethany says

    October 28, 2020 at 6:49 am

    How are your behavior communication and social/ independence data sheets organized? do you put those in their folder too? I have a lot of kids with routine based goals and in past set up goal sheets by routines? Any other suggestions?

    • Whitney Kaiser says

      November 8, 2020 at 12:51 pm

      I use the same template. Those goals are on the back side of my data sheet. I put the goals in the order they are in on the IEP. If I need a more specific data sheet for a behavior goal, I use the other templates in the data sheets bundle on the Simple Special Ed shop or TpT store. If you have a routine based goal that several of your students have, you could make one data sheet so you could track everyone’s progress during that routine. I do that system for a fine motor checklist for my students that have that goal. Then I just transfer their percentage onto their data sheet so I have all their data together. I hope this was helpful!

  3. Nicole DeMoure says

    October 28, 2020 at 9:39 am

    What a great way to do goals. I have always wanted to do something to help with data, but could never figure it out. Thanks so much for sharing!!

    • Whitney Kaiser says

      November 8, 2020 at 12:46 pm

      You’re welcome! I’m so glad this was helpful for you. Thank you for reading!

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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