The Four Core Principles of an Effective Functional Behavior Analysis (FBA)
An effective FBA helps educators move from frustration to clarity by understanding the โwhyโ behind student behavior.
Types of Special Education Assessments Explained
When a student goes through a re-evaluation for special education, which happens a minimum of every 3 years per the IDEA, itโs easy to feel overwhelmed by all the testing tools and terminology. From screeners to diagnostic assessments, observations to rating scales, there are many ways the team gathers data to understand how a student […]
How to Fix Behavior IEP Data When Nothing Is Working
Behavior IEP goals can quickly become overwhelming, especially when a student has a lot of IEP goals and the data feels impossible to manage. Many special education teachers use frequency charts with tally marks because that is what they were taught and it’s really simple to implement. But over time, the data stops making sense. […]
Top 10 Data-Driven Questions Every IEP Team Should Be Asking
IEP data should do more than sit in a folder or get copied into a progress report. Data is meant to guide instruction, inform decisions, and protect studentsโ access to appropriate supports. But data alone does not tell a story. The questions the IEP team asks are what turn numbers into meaning. For special education […]
Regression in Special Education: How to Document and Update the IEP
Noticing regression in a student can feel heavy, and maybe even a little personal. You might then start to worry about timelines, the additional paperwork, parent reactions, or what you should do next. Once data shows a true loss of skills, the first thing to remember is not to panic. We need to respond to […]
How to Make Data Collection a Natural Part of Your Lessons
Make IEP data collection part of your lessons, not extra work. Learn simple strategies to collect meaningful data while you teach.
A Growing List of Progress Monitoring Tools for Teachers
Explore a growing list of progress monitoring tools for teachersโfrom paper binders to AI-powered appsโto track student growth with ease.
Assessments and Screeners for IEP Present Levels Data
Discover how assessments and screenersโfrom standardized to informal toolsโgive a full picture of student needs and guide stronger IEP goals.
Why Every Teacher Needs an IEP Lesson Planner
Discover how an IEP lesson planner helps special education teachers stay organized, track goals, and support students effectively all year long.
From Support to Independence: How to Fade IEP Supports the Right Way
Fading supports is one of the most important parts of special education, yet it is commonly one of the most overlooked. As special education teachers, we work hard to provide supports, accommodations, prompts, and help that students need to access learning. But what happens next is just as important. If supports are never faded, students […]
What Every Special Education Teacher Needs to Know About Evaluations
When a student is struggling in school, itโs important to figure out why, and one way to do that is through a special education evaluation. These evaluations help schools learn more about how a child thinks, learns, and behaves so that the right supports can be put in place to help the child succeed. Whether […]
Tracking IEP Progress: A Step-by-Step Look at the Data Analysis Process
In special education, data analysis is more than just looking at numbers on a chart. Itโs how we tell if a student is making progress, if our teaching strategies are working, and whether the IEP goals we wrote are the right fit. By looking closely at student performance over time, we can make smart decisions […]
Understanding IQ Scores for IEP Evaluations
When it comes to supporting students with disabilities, knowing how IQ scores work can be a helpful part of the process. IQ, or Intelligence Quotient, is often used to help determine a childโs cognitive abilities. For special education teachers and IEP teams, understanding IQ ranges and how they connect to evaluations and eligibility for services […]
How to Ensure Student Progress with a Large Caseload
Managing a large caseload in special education is no small feat. With 30 or more students, each having multiple Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals, ensuring that every student makes progress can feel overwhelming. The key is organization, efficiency, and strategic planning. While no system is perfect, there are many ways to structure your workflow to […]
How to Use Task Analysis and Collect Data in the Special Education Classroom
Teaching life skills, routines, and academic tasks in special education often requires breaking things down into small, manageable steps. And thatโs where using a task analysis comes in to be your new best friend. A task analysis is a powerful instructional strategy that helps students with disabilities learn complex skills by teaching one step at […]
How to Store Data From Progress Monitoring
How you store data matters! Monitoring student progress can be a daunting task, especially when managing data for multiple students. The larger your caseload, the more chaotic things can get if you don’t have a solid system for storing and organizing your progress monitoring data. A solid storage system for this data not only streamlines […]
The Importance of Working with General Ed Teachers on IEP Data Collection
Collaboration between special education teachers and general education teachers is vital for the success of students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Effective communication and teamwork can lead to better outcomes for students, ensuring that they receive the support they need to thrive in the classroom. Without that collaboration, IEP goals can fall by the wayside, […]
IEP Toolkit
There are so many parts to a studentโs Individualized Education Program (IEP)โฆ and these parts are constantly being changed and revised on at least a yearly basis at minimum. An IEP is a living document! As part of the IEP Team, you are responsible for drafting the entire IEP (this depends on what state you live in […]
How to Achieve Maintenance of Skills Learned
It is crucial for special education teachers to focus on maintaining the skills their students have learned and mastered in their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Without regular practice and reinforcement, students may easily lose the progress they have made. Just like with any skill, consistency is key to retention. Students with special needs may require […]
IEP Data Sheets Special Education Teachers Love
In special education, anything that makes managing a caseload of students more manageable and efficient is a must. Data sheets are invaluable tools thatย canย greatlyย assist teachers in effectively monitoring and tracking their students’ progress.ย These sheets are detailed documents that allow teachers to record specific information about a student’s behavior, academic performance, and other important metrics. By keeping accurate and up-to-date […]
Understanding Effective Progress in an IEP
Effective progress. What is it, and why is it important in terms of your students’ IEPs? One key aspect of an IEP is defining what “effective progress” means for the student. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of effective progress in an IEP and how it impacts the educational development of students. […]
Data Collection 101 for Teachers
Data collection is fundamental to monitoring students’ progress in special education, particularly concerning their Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals. Figuring out how, where, and when to collect the data can be challenging. Together we will dive into the significance of choosing the right setting for data collection, explores tools to facilitate progress monitoring, outlines step-by-step […]
The Importance of Using Student Interest Surveys When Writing IEPs
Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are designed to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities, ensuring that they receive the appropriate educational support and services. One crucial aspect of creating an effective IEP is understanding the studentโs individual interests, preferences, and strengths. This is where student interest surveys play a vital role. What are Student […]
Enhancing IEP Team Collaboration Through Input Forms
Collaboration is key when it comes to developing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) that truly meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. An essential aspect of this collaboration lies in gathering input from various stakeholders, including teachers, specialists, and parents, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the student’s academic and behavioral performance.ย This blog post […]
How to Write IEP Progress Reports
As a special education teacher, it is important to understand how to write progress reports for your students. While you may have been accustomed to writing report cards at the semester level in general education, progress reports for special education students are typically due quarterly. This guide aims to provide you with valuable insights and […]
Tips for Documenting Service Minutes for an IEP
When it comes to documenting service minutes for an Individualized Education Program (IEP), accuracy and thoroughness are crucial. The service minutes reflect the amount of time a student receives special education services, and they play a vital role in ensuring the student’s needs are met. In this blog post, we will explore some tips for […]
5 Simple Ways to Track IEP Service Minutes Each Day
As an educator involved in an Individualized Education Program (IEP), it is crucial to accurately track the service minutes provided to the student each day. Tracking IEP service minutes ensures that the student receives the appropriate support and helps in monitoring their progress. But, tracking IEP service minutes can often be a daunting task. In […]
What โProcedures for Collecting Dataโ Might Mean in Your Childโs IEP
As a parent of a student with an Individualized Education Program (IEP), it is crucial to clearly understand the components within your childโs plan to ensure their educational success. One such component that often raises questions is the term โprocedures for collecting data.โ In this blog post, we will delve into what this term means […]
How Students Can Help with Data Collection
As special education teachers, one of our primary goals is to ensure that our students with individualized education programs (IEPs) make progress toward their goals. Traditionally, data collection has been the responsibility of the teacher alone. However, involving students in the process not only empowers them to take ownership of their learning but also enhances […]
The Importance of Sharing Raw Data with Parents
As special education teachers, we play a vital role in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process, working closely with students, parents, and other professionals. One crucial aspect that deserves our attention is sharing raw data with parents. In this blog post, we will discuss what raw data is, why it is important, why it should […]
Digital Data Collection Tools for Teachers
Letโs talk data collection. Itโs probably one of, if not THE most important part of our job as Special Education teachers, right? Well, besides the IEP of course. But the driving factor behind an IEP is data. Data to show if the student is making progress, data to show if the student is not making […]
How to Explain the Implementation of Service Minutes
When writing an IEP, the most important part we as Special Education teachers must adhere to are the IEP service and service minutes.ย If you write in the IEP that you are going to see a child 5x a week for 30 minutes, then you need to make sure you see that child 5x a […]
A Step-by-Step Guide to Graphing Special Ed Data from a Google Form
Graphs are powerful visual tools that help us understand and interpret data. If you’ve collected data for your special ed students using a Google Form and want to present it in a clear and engaging way, graphing is the way to go. Today, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of graphing data from […]
Which Work Samples to Keep in Special Ed
As a special education teacher, keeping work samples for each student is important. These work samples serve as evidence of the student’s progress and can also be used to set goals, track growth, and inform future instruction. So, what types of work samples should you keep for your students in special education? Is there a […]
Pre-referral Screeners to Assess Students
A pre-referral screener is a tool that is used to identify students who may be struggling academically or behaviorally. Pre-referral screeners can be used to help educators make decisions about whether or not to refer a student for special education services. Pre-referral Screeners There are many different types of pre-referral screeners available, each with its […]
The Importance of IEP Input Forms
Schools develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to ensure that students with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE). The IEP document serves as a plan that outlines a student’s specific educational goals and objectives and the services that will be provided to help the student reach those goals. Writing an effective IEP requires thoughtful […]
Benefits of Using Digital and Paper and Pen Data Collection Methods
Collecting data for special education students is an important part of the educational process. In order to accurately assess their progress and make informed decisions, it’s essential that teachers and administrators have access to accurate, up-to-date information. Unfortunately, collecting this data can be a challenge – especially for teachers with large caseloads. From paper and […]
Understanding โX of Y Trialsโ
Understanding special ed jargon can be challenging! With so many acronyms and a language all its own, even the most seasoned teachers need clarification. When it comes to IEP writing, one of the most common phrases refers to the number of times a student should show mastery of a skill. It is usually referred to […]
5 Ways to Collect Data from General Ed Teachers
Special education teachers need input from general ed teachers when developing an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Gathering information from the general ed teacher in a timely and efficient manner is critical for designing educational plans that fit each student’s unique needs. But getting that information is not always easy when everyone’s time is limited. Here […]
Data Collection When Short Staffed
Data collection for IEPs is important throughout the school year. When your school is short staffed, not only does it make teaching more challenging, but it also makes it more difficult to collect data. Here are some ways to manage data collection when short-staffed in the special ed classroom. As always, some of the ideas […]
5 Ways to Track Behavior Data
Tracking student behavior and keeping a record of it can be a daunting task – especially if you have a large caseload. As with all things, the method you use has to work for you and your school. Some may find that paper and pencil behavior data collection is still the way to go. Others […]
How to Use Google Forms to Track IEP Progress
Progress monitoring for IEPs is one of the most time-consuming, often dreaded aspects of special education. It is not that special educators do not want to monitor their students’ progress, but large caseloads and sometimes hundreds of IEP goals to track can be an overwhelming task. Thankfully, technology can make it easier. Here is how […]
Tips for Digital Data Collection
Collecting data is one of the most important jobs for special education teachers. It is used to measure progress on goals, helps to write IEPs, and gives teachers a sense of where students are at any given point in the school year. That being said, collecting data for all of the students on a caseload […]
Assessments to Track Data for a New IEP
When you have a new IEP, collecting accurate and thorough data is especially important. It sets the stage for the life of the IEP and serves as a baseline for the initial services that a child will receive. So, what types of assessments are best to use and can give you the information that you’re […]
Supporting and Reporting On Students in the Inclusion Classroom
While an inclusion classroom may be the least restrictive environment and proper placement for a child with an IEP, reporting and supporting still need to be done. How does an inclusion teacher support and report on students in the classroom? We asked veteran teachers to share their wisdom and ideas with us on how to […]
How Often Should You Work on IEP Goals
When it comes to IEP goals, there is no question that they must be worked on throughout the school year. But when you have a large caseload of students with multiple IEP goals, how often should you work on IEP goals for each child? Practicing IEP Goals Organizing how often students should be practicing IEP […]
Documenting Progress on IEP Behavior Goals
When students have behavior goals it is important to make sure that the documentation includes not only the behavior that the child is exhibiting but also the work that is being done to improve the behavior. But how do you document progress on the behavior goals so that it shows a true picture of the […]
What to Do After Collecting Student Data
Collecting student data can be overwhelming, but there are some tips and tricks for keeping it organized and making sure that you have the data available when you need it. Learn how to streamline your process after collecting student data so that you can save time and energy throughout the school year. Organizing Student Data […]
Why You Should Be Sending Out IEP Input Forms
When it comes to writing a child’s next IEP, are you getting the data you need to complete the student’s IEP? Are you getting input from the other member’s of the IEP team? Learn more about IEP input forms and why they are so important to your data collection and IEP writing timeline. The Case […]
3 Tips for Progress Monitoring with a Large Caseload
Progress monitoring is an important part of a special education teacher’s job. Ensuring that students are making progress on their IEP goals is key to helping them achieve success. However, monitoring progress for multiple students can quickly become overwhelming… especially when your caseload is 10+ students! Having strategies in place to help with progress monitoring […]
What to Do When IEP Goals Arenโt Working
A great IEP is the key to success for any disabled individual. If your student’s IEP goals aren’t working or the child seems to be struggling, it’s time to take action. Being proactive can mean the difference between a successful year for the student and one that’s filled with frustration and difficulties. Steps to Take […]
Collecting Data to Show a Need for Extended School Year (ESY)
Do you have students who would benefit from participating in Extended School Year (ESY) services? Learn what type of data to collect to ensure that your students get the support that they need! What is ESY? Unlike summer school, Extended School Year, or ESY, is summer instruction that is designed to meet children’s individual needs. […]
Data Collection Shortcuts That Save Teachers Time
Teachers are always crunched for time, that’s no secret. And we have a lot of paperwork, that’s another not so secret secret. So any little tips or tricks we can pick up along the way to help us save a few minutes are like gold in our book. Today The Intentional IEPย is going to […]
Determining How Many Trials Per IEP Goal or Objective
Each IEP you write is individualized, that’s the purpose of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for our students with special needs. When you are writing IEP goals, you shouldn’t be using one standard measurement for skill mastery. The IEP goal trials also don’t have to be one specific amount of problems or questions per progress […]
How to Make Student IEP Binders
Are you thinking about making data binders for your students? While they are a great idea, knowing what to put in data binders to make them useful is key. With so many options of materials to put in the binders, sometimes the most challenging part is whittling them down so that they do not contain […]
Determining IEP Goal Mastery Criteria
As we know, IEP goals must be measurable. We collect data and report on IEP goals that we have assigned levels of mastery to. But how do we determine if a goal is โmasteredโ? What criteria must a child meet before we determine that there has been goal mastery? One of the big needs for […]
Who to Ask for Input for a Childโs IEP
When writing an IEP for a student with a disability, it is important to ask for input from many different sources. But why is this? Why not just ask for input from any general or special education teacher who works with that child, and be done with it? The answer is simple! Different people in […]