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 better way to save and store them? And can you get by with less?
Here are some ideas and answers to those questions.
The pieces that show progress toward goals are, by far, the most important to hold on to for their files. The work samples that you decide to keep for your students should align with their IEP goals. Some sample types include the following.
Keeping a portfolio of writing samples is a great way to measure progress in spelling, grammar, and writing skills. You can include everything from creative writing assignments to more technical pieces, such as essays and research papers.
Math is a subject that builds on previous concepts, so it’s important to keep examples of math work from throughout the year. This includes completed worksheets, quizzes, tests, and other assignments.
Even if you’re not an art teacher, it’s important to document a student’s artwork if they have goals in fine motor skills or other art-related areas. That being said, art can be a great outlet for kids who struggle in other areas, and it’s important to celebrate their achievements. So, it may be worth holding on to a few of their most significant art pieces from throughout the school year.
While science goals are not as common, students often complete projects demonstrating their understanding of key concepts. Keeping these projects can help track progress and identify areas where students may need additional support.
Reading is related to many common IEP goals, so keeping reading logs can be very helpful in tracking progress. You can monitor the student’s reading level, the types of books they’re reading, and how often they read.
Social skills are often a key area of focus. Keeping work samples that show a student’s progress in communicating, interacting with others, and following directions can be beneficial.
Although it may not seem like a traditional “work sample,” keeping a behavior record can provide insight into a student’s progress. This can include things like keeping a behavior chart or log, noting changes in behavior over time, and recording any behavioral interventions that have been implemented.
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While it’s important to keep a variety of work samples for each student, there may be instances where it’s more beneficial to focus on assessments. Assessments provide a clear picture of a student’s progress and can help identify areas where they may need additional support. Additionally, assessments are often standardized, which means they can be used to compare the student to other grade-level students or those in the same age range. This can be particularly helpful in identifying areas where a student may be struggling compared to their peers.
However, it’s important to remember that assessments should not be the only measure of a student’s progress. A combination of assessments and work samples can provide a more comprehensive view of a student’s growth and can inform future instruction. These ELA, Reading, Writing + Spelling Data Forms are a great way to keep track of progress with a more holistic view.
Taking photos of your students’ work samples is an efficient and convenient way to track their progress, and it can also serve as documentation for parents and guardians. Instead of keeping physical copies of the work samples, you can take a photo of each document and store it in a digital portfolio. This way, you can easily access the portfolio and share it with parents, students, or other teachers on your team. A shared Google Drive folder works well for this.
Taking photos of work samples also has the added benefit of reducing clutter in your classroom. Instead of accumulating stacks of paper and projects, you can snap a photo and move on to the next task.
Taking photos of work samples is a simple yet effective way to document progress and involve parents in the learning process.
Creating digital portfolios is one of the most efficient ways to store work samples. These portfolios can be made using cloud-based platforms or software that allows teachers to upload, organize, and access files from any device. This method saves physical space in the classroom and provides easy access to work samples whenever needed.
Physical storage systems such as binders or folders are another option if keeping hard copies of work samples is preferred. These can be labeled and organized by subject, date, or student name for easy retrieval.
It’s important to note that work samples should be stored securely and confidentially, following privacy laws and regulations. Teachers should also communicate with parents and guardians about how and when they can access their child’s work samples.
Keeping work samples for students in special education is an integral part of tracking progress and setting goals. By keeping a variety of work samples, you can get a better idea of a student’s strengths and challenges and use that information to guide future instruction. Feel free to consult with other teachers and professionals in your school to determine what specific work samples may be most helpful for your students based on the student’s history and the district’s requirements.
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