As I began thinking about this assignment, I began to question the amount of data that I use in my classroom. Because I am a special education teacher, dealing with students diagnosed with emotional and behavioral disorders, one might infer that I collect and utilize enormous amount of data. During the course of this assignment, I concluded that I use mostly data that focuses on grades, academic scores, and little data that focuses on behaviors.
Some of the academic data that I use includes daily grades, CRCT scores, Woodcock Johnson testing scores, Grasp, and informal assessments. We, Burwell, are not on Troup County
I do use Woodcock Johnson scores. This is an achievement test that we give to our students at the end of each year. I personally administer this assessment and use the results to help decipher my student’s ability levels. These results indicate their performance levels in reading and math. I can better understand and modify a student’s work when I am aware of the grade level/age equivalency. I feel this data helps me be a better teacher.
As I was completing this assignment, I began discussing data with my principal. He informed me of a program that the GNETS program uses called SWIS (School Wide Information System). This program allows administrators and teachers to look at behavioral data ranging from attendance, number of restraints by teacher or student, the time of the restraint, and the day the restraint occurred. This is a program that I feel will be very helpful in my field. Our goal at Burwell is to help prepare our students manage and cope with their emotional and behavioral difficulties. By using SWIS, I have access and can review a child’s information anywhere from last week to their date of entry. I am very excited to have learned about this program and look forward to begin using it in my classroom.
I keep daily behavioral checksheets on each student. This way I can review and determine if there is a pattern to a child’s behavior. All students work on three of the same goals, following directions, participating in classroom activities, and positive interactions, and two personal goals. Daily checksheets are reviewed each Friday, as a group, and we discuss behaviors that have been exhibited. Both good and bad behaviors are addressed. As a class, we discuss ways of managing and coping with our inappropriate behaviors.
Data can be very useful, especially in the area of special education. As a result of this assignment, I realized how valuable data is and can be. I concluded that I utilize more data than I had originally thought. I am excited to begin using the SWIS program. Data collection does not have to be elaborate or difficult, yet it provides valuable information.
