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Around the IEP Table: This Week's Intentional Thoughts
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Reader, Welcome to issue #2 of Around the IEP Table. Intentional Priority ⭐I'm going to start this week's intentional thought by telling you, there is no single best way to collect data. I have seen some beautifully organized binders (I have them!), some digital forms that can be accessed from anywhere, using sticky notes (my personal fav!), tally sheets, clipboards, spreadsheets... or a hybrid combination of all of the above. So let me let you in on a little secret, Reader: the best data collection system is the one you can use consistently enough to answer:
BUT! This is the part that not enough special education teachers will admit: the data system that works for you right now may not work for you all year. Your caseload may change. Your schedule may (is going to) change. A para may join or leave your classroom. You might realize that the form you created in August takes too long to complete, or that the quick tally sheet you started with isn't giving you enough information. If your data system stops working for you, it does not mean you failed at data collection. It just means you learned what your system needs to do now. A good data collection system should support the work you're doing. It should not become another job you have to manage (because this also takes us into the realm of "collecting data in isolation" and we don't want that either). If it is taking too much time, creating more confusion, or producing data you cannot actually use, you are allowed to adjust it. And you should. This Week's FocusThis week, I want you to: ✅ Choose your data collection method. Learn the different methods and determine yours. Hit reply and tell me which one you choose! That's it! It's a big one this week, but the system you put in place right now for progress monitoring can make or break your year, and your IEPs. Inside the SystemIf you're stuck wondering what data collection systems are out there, or want a walkthrough of how to implement the sticky data method, or the digital data method, head over to Pillar 3 inside The Intentional IEP System for allll the details on data. Pillar 3 is your go to for data collection and progress monitoring trainings.
Beyond the SystemIf you need guidance with collecting data, here's our free Progress Monitoring Binder Rings. Simplify your data collection and effectively save yourself time with this freebie. Then head over to the podcast to listen to the episode about analyzing data. PLUS! Here's a video from our YouTube channel on how to take data while you're teaching. I get REALLY excited about stuff like this because... ahhhh, it's where we as special educators get to shine and use our knowledge to help students. Check that training out here. Looking AheadNext week, let's talk about lesson planning. Until then, I'll see you inside our free Facebook Community.
Stephanie |
The Intentional IEP
Learn best practices in special education. Join 50,000+ special education teachers and build your advocacy efforts with topics including IEP writing, IEP team collaboration, IEP implementation, and progress monitoring.
Welcome to issue #4 of Around the IEP Table, Reader! Intentional Thought ⭐ Baseline data isn't about proving and knowing what your student can do right now so you can see how far they go. Baseline data is one of those special education terms we use constantly. "Collect your baseline data." "You need a baseline before writing the goal." "Make sure you get beginning of the year baselines." But what are we actually talking about? What does any of it mean? Simple terms: baseline data is a...
Welcome to issue #3 of Around the IEP Table, Reader! Intentional Priority ⭐ Build a lesson-planning system that stays at school. I want to touch on lesson planning this week because I know some special ed teachers have a protected planning period... and some don't. And some teachers technically have one... but it gets filled with meetings, coverage, paperwork, student needs, and all the things that apparently could not happen at any other time. That is why I will never tell a teacher that the...
Reader, This year I want to try something different with the newsletter, so welcome to issue #1 of Around the IEP Table. Intentional Priority ⭐ When what you've planned for and set up for your classroom doesn't work the first week... it's okay to shift and pivot. Teaching is a lot of work, and we often feel the demands need to take up our time outside of contract hours. Now that decision is up to you as an individual, as only you can decide what work-life balance works best for you. But...