In the hustle and bustle of the beginning of the school year we as teachers have many things to keep track of: assessments, data, permission forms, seating charts, IEP goals. The list seems to never end! Keeping organized is essential in Special Education for so many reasons. However, does the thought of recording organized, daily data for each one of your students intimidate you? How can one person keep that amount of information straight? What about clear and concise interaction with parents and other staff members? Having the right organizational tools is the key to success!
The best way to stay organized is to use forms, data sheets and templates. But where do you start?
Here are a few important forms and templates you will need to have on hand in your classroom each year.
Data Sheets
- ABC Charts
ABC charts are an essential tool for recording behavioral data. This chart breaks down a behavioral incident through A- Antecedent, B- Behavior, and C- Consequence. This provides you data on what was happening before, during, and after a behavioral instance. This data is essential to selecting the correct interventions to assist students with proper behavior.
- Interval Recording
Interval Recording sheets will be used to record continuous behaviors. This data is helpful for reflecting on what may be the source or time of day of a behavior. This allows you to look for trends in behaviors that are occurring continuously.
- Duration Recording
This form allows you to record and reflect on how long a behavioral incident occurred.
- Discrete Trial Data Sheets
Discrete Trial Data Sheets will be used to keep record of all trials of new skills the students will be presented with. Data will be taken as positive and negative, and then as a total percentage. Mastery criteria will be the percentage and duration of correct responses that the student needs to meet to move forward.
- Weekly Data Sheets
Weekly Data Sheets will include fluency data, behavior frequency, IEP goals and mastery criteria. This will be where you can store data for a variety of categories in one place.
- IEP Goals
IEP Goals will be recorded daily to ensure the student is meeting the goals that are mandated on their IEP. This form allows you to have a clear and quick place to record your student’s daily performance.
- Independent Work
Independent Worksheets will record the students' prompt level for each activity.
Forms
- Copy Requests
If your school requires you to fill out a form to request copies, this will be a staple in your classroom!
- Materials Requests
If your school requires you to fill out a form to request needed materials in your classroom, be sure to keep this form on hand!
- Laminating Request
Your school may require requests for lamination if you don’t own your own laminator! Keep these in your desk drawer, they’ll be used more often than you think!
- Parent Contact Information
This form can be sent out at the beginning of the year to ensure you have necessary information to communicate with each student's parent(s).
- Student Allergy Information
Student Allergy Information should be recorded at the beginning of the year and kept visible in the classroom at all times.
- Parent Teacher Conference
Parent Teacher Conference forms should be sent out when Parent Teacher Conferences are to take place. This is an easy way to schedule conferences and keep the scheduled times organized.
- Modifications and Ideas
Modifications and Ideas will always take place in your classroom. Having a sheet where students, other staff members and teachers can fill out their ideas is a great way to keep everyone feeling involved. Keep this form in a central area of the room where anyone can access it easily.
- Parent Meeting Request
If you need to meet with a parent before conferences, this is a request you can send to them letting them know you need to speak with them and allows them to request a specific date and time that works best.
Enter the templates!!!!
Templates
- School Supply List
Keep a general School Supply list on hand, and edit it each year!
- Contact Log
Keep a Contact Log for all of your students' parents, other staff members, teachers, assistants and substitutes!
- Educational Assessment Template
This will be the master copy for the Educational Assessment you use in your classroom to evaluate student progress or baseline data.
- Upcoming Testing Sheet
This will be a master Upcoming Testing sheet to keep on hand throughout the years. This can allow notice for parents or other staff members.
- Present Level of Student Progress Template
The Present Level of Student Progress Template can be modified for each student. However, the basis of this template will be the same for each student.
- Parent Email Regarding Behavior Template
If you need a template to refer to when sending a parent email regarding behavior, this is the template for you! It is extremely useful and alleviates a little stress when trying to think of how to say/word what you would like to inform the parents.
The amount of data and information we are required to keep as Special Educators may feel overwhelming at times, but these templates will set you up for success this year! You can find many of these forms already created and ready to print or editing for you here in my Editable Templates for Autism Teachers/Pre-Written Starter Forms & Templates.
