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 the use of Google Forms and digital data tracking sheets can significantly cut progress monitoring time and ensure that every student is being accounted for and their IEP goals are being addressed.


Digital Data Tracking

What makes digital data tracking so much easier than paper and pencil recording? One of the key differences is that the data collected digitally is available across multiple devices in multiple locations. That means you do not have to worry about losing a piece of paper with the data recorded on it and can, instead, view the information at home or work on your computer, tablet, or phone.

That makes accessing data a lot easier!

But what about the actual recording of data and information for the IEP? How does technology help make that less stressful?

The answer is with digital data trackers like Google Forms.

If you are not familiar with them, Google Forms are editable forms that can be shared with anyone who has internet access. The answers are inputted and then automatically saved in a spreadsheet.

For those writing the IEP, that means that the exact wording used by other teachers or parental input can be copied and pasted into the IEP document itself.


Check out this short snippet from one of the trainings inside of TII membership about using Google keep  with IEPs

If you are looking for more specifics on IEP’s like writing IEP goals and behavior plans – you’re in the right place!

By joining the membership, individuals also gain access to an extensive library of over 13,000 pre-written IEP goals, empowering them with a wealth of options to support their students’ unique needs.

Learn more and become a member of The Intentional IEP today!


3 Tricks for Using Google Forms for Data Collection

While Google Forms are not difficult to use if you are tech-savvy, there are some tips and tricks that can make them a lot easier to implement.

1 – Use Pre-Made Form Templates

Instead of recreating the wheel, use Google Forms templates that have already been created for IEP purposes. The Digital Data Forms for Special Education are a perfect example of that. These templates include Google Forms for:

  • General IEP folder organization
  • Request for Assistance / Nurse Forms
  • Parent Questionnaires
  • Student Questionnaires / Self-Evals and Assessments
  • Meeting Minutes
  • Observation Forms / Teacher + Specialist Reports
  • IEP Meeting Dates Tracking
  • Transition, Career Choices, + Vocational Assessment
  • Accommodations / Modifications
  • FBA, Behavior, ABC Charts
  • Discrete Trials
  • General Goal Tracking
  • Inclusion
  • Task Analysis + Multi-Step Tasks
  • Reading / ELA (general + elementary skills)
  • Math (basic skills)
  • Trials / Mass Trials
  • Prompting
  • Frequency + Duration
  • Toileting + Life Skills

The forms can be shared with general ed and inclusion teachers, specials teachers, other special educators, support staff, parents, students, and more. All of their answers are then recorded in a spreadsheet that makes it easy to view progress, ascertain growth, and craft an IEP. You can grab a copy of the Digital Data Forms here.

 

2 – Create QR Codes for Each Child

Generate QR codes that lead to data tracking forms for each child. For example, if there are behavior goals, create a QR code that links directly to the behavior tracking form. Place these QR codes in each child’s binder, in their IEP at a glance brochure that gets handed out to general ed teachers, and wherever else it will be easy to access.

 

3 – Make Sure Everyone Knows How to Use Them

How to Use Google Forms to Track IEP GoalsThis often overlooked step is key to making sure that the forms get used correctly and give you the input and information that you are looking for. Take the time to make a short explainer video for those who will be using the forms with you. This will cut down on worries about not being tech-savvy or about using different data collection methods. While using Google Forms may be intuitive for you, it may not be for those who you want or need to use them.


Using digital data collection forms can be an enormous time-saver for you and those who are collecting data with you. Once you set them up, you can copy and use them over and over again for each of your students. Setting them up at the beginning of the year ensures that the rest of the year’s data collection process will run smoothly!

 

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