Setting Up Data Binders
Every year I struggle with the best way to track IEP data. With everything trending to digital, recently I have been trying to find ways to do this digitally, but I find that I prefer do things by hand. I also find that I am more consistent when something paper and pencil. So no matter how fancy and techy I try to be, every year I fall back to my tried and true data binders.
Here is how I set them up:
For each student I use a 1″ white binder. I buy them in 4 packs on Amazon.
I use dry erase marker to write the students’ initials on the outside of their binder so that I can wipe it off and reuse each year. You could also print a spine or cover page, but I find the dry erase marker easy enough.
Section One:
The first thing that I keep in the binder is a paper copy of the IEP. I tried to go paperless one year and our website kept crashing and I quickly regretted not having paper copies of the IEPs. This reference is helpful and I refer to it regularly, I also jot notes about things I want to make sure that I discuss during an annual meeting. I make sure to make these notes in a colored pen so that it stands out when I flip through the IEP.
Section Two:
In the second section I keep my data collection sheets. I use a weekly sheet for each student to jot down data towards their benchmarks and goals. I find I am most consistent when I keep the stack of weekly sheets on a clipboard on my desk. When I sit down at my desk after a class or classes, I jot down any information that I need about each student that I worked with. At the end of the week I add these sheets to their binder. After progress reports, I usually shred these since I now have all the data summarized in their progress note.
Section Three:
In the third section I keep any work samples that I may need that will help demonstrate their progress. I can summarize all of their data on their progress notes and during conversations with parents, but sometimes it is nice to have samples to illustrate for the parents how their kiddos are doing. This is the section that easily gets too cumbersome, so I am thoughtful to only save what I really need.
Section Four:
In the final section I keep any benchmark testing such as state testing or IReady benchmark testing. In my district we do not use IReady data for IEP purposes but I find that it is useful to have.
Any other areas of data collection that you would like ideas on?
Comment below!
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