Organization Station- More Ideas for Data Collection

Teams ask us all the time about the best methods for data collection. There are so many options available that it can definitely be a challenge to find methods that are both efficient and thorough. In today's Organization Station, we have gathered some great ideas from around the Miami Valley to help make this decision easier.

General Data Collection
Our first examples are pretty general and can be used to gather data on any goal. They are great for quick data collection! While they work well for individuals who know the student's IEP goals really well (such as their Intervention Specialist) they may be a more challenging method for other staff members who are less familiar (such as paraprofessionals or support staff).

Using color-coded post-it notes, this IS records data on her clipboard and then transfers it to color coded sheets on the wall. This data can later be transferred to an IEP program or data binder.

Amy Beanblossom
Arcanum Elementary, Arcanum

A similar approach is the use of shipping labels that can be used to gather data for a variety of students at one time and then transferred to their respective data binders later. This is a great system for data collection during a group activity.

Ann-Marie Small
Driscoll Elementary, Centerville

This is another basic sheet that can be used to record any goal and is organized to record two goals per student. Goals can be written in ahead of time to provide more guidance if you want to use this type of system with support staff or paraprofessionals.

Laurie Maravetz
Schaefer Middle School, Springfield

Behavior Data Collection
When it comes to behavior data, it is important to target specific behaviors that you want to monitor. This is especially important when a student engages in a variety of interfering behaviors. Prioritize the behaviors to focus on starting with the most dangerous, then those that are destructive, then disruptive, and finally distracting. It is also important to be specific so that all staff knows exactly what behavior to monitor and track.

When we are initially looking for patterns of behavior we recommend scatterplot data collection. The scatterplot can look at a whole month's worth of data and can determine if there are patterns to the time of day or day of the week the behavior occurs. It is easy to track because you do not need to track the frequency or specific instances of behavior. You only need to determine if the behavior occurred within a 15 minute period. We recommend assigning each behavior being tracked (between 2-3 behaviors at a time) a colored highlighter. This is a very visual data collection tool which allows you to present it without added work and it can be quickly analyzed.

Rylie Jarrett
Stevenson Elementary, Mad River

Angie Kleinhans
Stebbins High School, Mad River

This data collection tool can be used as a scatterplot to track several targeted behaviors across the day for a week. Like the scatterplot above, staff can simply mark the box if the behavior occurs during the time given.

Mary Nolan
Valley Forge Elementary, Huber Heights

Some teams use individual behavior plans as a way for students to monitor their behavior throughout the day as well as a way to collect behavior data. As mentioned above, specific behaviors should still be prioritized to help the student know what to work on and to help staff know what to prioritize. Rather than listing the negative behaviors and tracking frequency, staff should list what they want the student to do instead and track their success with applying the replacement behavior. When a student has a variety of behaviors, it can feel overwhelming to them and to staff to try to tackle everything at once. So start with small, manageable steps.

These smiley face behavior sheets can be modified to include 1, 2, or 3 separate behaviors.

Debi Gnau
Mad River Preschool, Mad River

Leslie Mann
Demmitt Elementary, Vandalia

These point sheets are similar examples of tracking specific replacement behaviors. When using a behavior system, many teams have students set goals for students to meet. When these goals are met, students typically earn a motivating item or activity. Make sure these expectations are clearly communicated. Use the data from the behavior sheets to determine the frequency of reinforcement needed. Do they need multiple rewards daily...

Mary Nolan
Valley Forge Elementary, Huber Heights

at the end of the day...

Heather Balkcom
Springcreek Primary, Piqua

or weekly?

Korie Jacobs
Mad River Middle School, Mad River

Self-Management
Some teams use data collection to determine the effectiveness of supports they have implemented. We frequently see this type of data collection for sensory and self-management supports. Sometimes this data is taken by staff. It can be analyzed to determine if new strategies are needed or if the frequency of providing supports needs modified.

Rylie Jarrett
Stevenson Elementary, Mad River

Or students can begin self-monitoring their self-management strategies. Self-monitoring is a great strategy in this area to help students begin recognizing how well they are implementing the strategies they have learned so they become more self-aware of their needs.

Leslie Mann
Demmitt Elementary, Vandalia

Michele Glynn and Kathy Healy
Minneapolis Public Schools

Michele Glynn and Kathy Healy
Minneapolis Public Schools

Check out our favorite book on data collection for more ideas: