As the school year comes to a close, I wanted to take some time to talk about how I track data! Data collection for social workers or counselors can be challenging, and if you are considering adding new components, summer can be the best time to plan. For me and I’m sure for many of you, efficiency is KEY. In my recent experience, evidence of services and data collection is becoming a large need and request. For the last several years, I have been experimenting with different types of data tracking. I would collaborate with other social workers and surf Pinterest, but I felt as though I still wasn’t able to find something that worked best for me. I also wanted materials that could work together as a system, complementing each other, and increasing success. So, I created my own, and I finally feel as though I created a tested system that works for me.
Student Task Cards
One of the tools I created is student task cards. They help hold students accountable for their IEP goals or skills we are working on. These have increased student success in social work and the classroom setting. Students select from different prompts on their cards each week related to their goal, which helps you track progress and remind them what they are working towards.
Visual Reminder Cards
Another tool I like to use is visual reminder cards. While they don’t track data on their own, they are another student-accountability tool. I use these cards on the table during sessions as a reminder of what skill we are working on.
Forms
I created my own referral forms, classroom forms, and exit forms. These help me track progress towards objectives and establish scheduled check-ins with teachers and staff. They also help me determine when a student needs an increase in services or if they are ready to do without services.
Think these materials might work for you? I put them all together as a kit with observation forms, a daily time tracker, 504 check-in forms, BIP check-in forms, behavior chart check-in forms, an IEP report card log, consent forms, and a Facebook support group. Most of these materials can be edited and include printable and digital versions. You can learn more or purchase the kit here. I hope you find these materials helpful for data collection!
Creatively,
Kylie
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