It's All in Organization: Data Collecting

I've read several threads on Facebook about how stressed a lot of School SLPs are.  I don't know if I'm not doing something right, or if I've just been in the field long enough to be able to go with the flow, but I'm not feeling the stress others are.  Not right now, anyway.  At the beginning of the year I definitely felt it!  Screenings, evaluations, placements, and scheduling all made for some very stressful days and nights.  At the beginning of the year, I stayed at school until 4:00 on some days, just trying to keep my head above water.  My kids are all out of high school, so I have that luxury of not worrying about getting my kids from daycare, or making sure they're picked up from after school activities.  I also don't have to get kids ready for school, so I can be at work early to prepare for the day.  
How do I do it?  It's all in the organization.  I have a notebook where I keep the following: Labels for data sheets, sticker charts, progress charts (on some of my artic students), attendance forms, and a cardstock page for each student that has their objectives.  When the sheet of labels for data is complete, I put each individual's labels on the cardstock page.  This works for me.  When it's time for progress reports, all I have to do is look at their data labels and put in that information. 

 
* Labels for data: I have these organized in the order that I see the groups.  Each group has a label.  The only exception are students who are seen individually, then I use a form for them.  There's 1 group per label sheet.  This keeps me from shuffling through different papers during a group. 
On each label, I write the date & highlight it, then write what the target is for that session.  I tally during the session and write the percentage down at the end.  If I use an app for that session, I write the app used and the results.  I consider myself semi tech savvy, but I don't completely trust the apps (or myself!) to store the results without having it written down somewhere.  Plus, if I need data in a hurry, all I have to do is grab the page and move on.

(Completed Individual labels on cardstock)   
                                                               (Group Label Sheet) 
For my language students, I do basically the same thing.  If for some reason I don't take data that session, I just write "DNA" for "Did Not Assess".  
If the student wasn't seen for therapy for their scheduled session, I write the reason on the label.  That way, there is no question as to why the student wasn't seen.  
I wish I could take credit for the great idea of using labels, but I can't.  When I was in SC, I worked with an SLP who used this system (Thanks, Traci!).  It totally works for me, but another SLP I worked with tried it and said it didn't work for her.  The main thing is to find what works best for you.


7 comments:

  1. Trying to understand this; Do you use a label sheet for each group? Do you use a single label on that page for each student? The sample looks like there is just one student on there. I don't see a box for more than one person on it.

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    1. Sorry for the confusion! Yes, I use 1 label sheet per group. The picture is showing the cardstock with 1 student's objectives and labels. For this student, his group's sheet was complete, so this shows his labels (after I peeled them off and put them on the cardstock) that were on the sheet. In hindsight, I should have taken a picture of 1 group's labels and included it. I will do that as soon I can!

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    2. tyarbor: I accidentally deleted your next comment; sorry! I just read it on my email! You're correct: if I have 3 students in a group, I use 3 labels on that 1 sheet for the group. I'll get a picture of the label sheet on the post by the end of today. Or, if you'd like, feel free to email me directly: mpkcoop@gmail.com

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    3. tyarbor: I just updated the post with a picture of the "group label sheet". Let me know if that helps!

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  2. I think a quick little video would be beneficial, because I would love to try this system. However, I am also kind of confused. Do you have a label sheet and write down the data for each kid within the group and then transfer the label of that specific kid to his or her card stock? How do you remember which kid the label goes for? Did I see something on one of the labels where you wrote the first initial of the child, which then helps to later identify which card stock to place the label on?

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    Replies
    1. The video idea is a good one! I'll try to work on that at the beginning of next school year. I have a label sheet; 1 for each group. I write their initial on each label so I know which label goes with which student. When the whole label sheet is completed, I transfer each label onto each student's cardstock. If the students have different objectives, I don't write their initials, I can remember which data goes with which student. Hope this helps!

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  3. I think a quick little video would be beneficial, because I would love to try this system. However, I am also kind of confused. Do you have a label sheet and write down the data for each kid within the group and then transfer the label of that specific kid to his or her card stock? How do you remember which kid the label goes for? Did I see something on one of the labels where you wrote the first initial of the child, which then helps to later identify which card stock to place the label on?

    ReplyDelete

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