Taking data is a MUST for special education, actually, we are usually buried in it! how do we combat this? By having effective and SIMPLE data sheets, that we can use in a variety of ways. Here is how I collect data on the Simple Comprehension Units.
I have gotten so many questions about examples of how to fill out the data sheets so today I am going into detail!
SIMPLE PARTS OF THE DATA SHEET:
+ Student initials: I add the student initials to the top right of the sheet. This way if I want to keep all Simple Comprehension data together, I can easily flip through to find each students sheet when tracking data. You could also put the date here if storing in student data binders. This is totally teacher preference and I love that theres different ways to use the same circle.
+ Date and Staff: I log in the date we start the units here. I also usually add in the date of each week next to the title. You could also just put a month and year here.
+ Week Sections: Before the month starts, I put in all student info, dates, and story names we will be doing each week. (I usually recommend following them in order, but if you have less weeks, days off, etc or just want to skip a story or work on one for two weeks- you have all those options by just writing the story name in yourself.
+ Scores: I like to log my scores quickly, so I usually do a ” 6/7 ” format. You could also do percentages if you are better at math than me. I do percentages at the end of the week to get a weekly average score for the story. I also usually add a + for independent and a – for support. If your students are working on various levels of support you could add that here for you to analyze later.
+ Description: Under each score I add what it’s for. This allows me to track data for vocab, comprehension, and sequencing over all throughout the month. (and gives me lots of data for IEP goals.)
HOW I ANALYZE THE DATA AND USE IT!
I explained about how I track the data. (read more about data tracking here) At the end of each week it is important to spend a little time with your data to analyze if your student is working on the correct level. (There are 3 levels in the units, you want to make sure you allowing your students to be challenged but also successful).
If my students have low scores and do not improve with more practice throughout the week, I lower their level or increase support the following week.
If my students have high or perfect scores, I remove support, and increase their level of independence for the following week.
I do feel that we shouldn’t be constantly switching levels throughout the month, but sometimes it is extreme and we do not want them working at an unrealistic level all month long. But remember that if they have some improvement, continuing to challenge them with a little more support, then fading the support, could help them be even more successful ( and their scores will show it.)
I LOVE THESE DATA SHEETS, DO YOU HAVE MORE?
All of my data sheets are simple and effective for collecting basic data. You can grab my set of data sheets that are editable on the computer below to use throughout your day with your students. I feel that if you use consistent data sheets, that the staff is more successful, and you aren’t constantly training on a new sheet.
PIN IT, and USE IT!
I always forget the things I read, so remember to pin this as a reference!
Interested in Simple Comprehension?
Data tracking is hard stuff, and they don’t teach it NEARLY enough in school. I am so lucky to have learned from some awesome behaviorists and special educators along the way- I hope you can use this as a resource for tracking data in your classroom!
