Since paraprofessionals often have one-on-one contact with students, they have insight into what is happening with the students on a daily basis that others may not.
The paraprofessional may observe behaviors, may be privy to attitudes, and may understand motivations or obstacles the student faces better than any other professional in the building.
Sometimes, the paraprofessional can even help parents (when appropriate) gain some needed insight on how the student is doing and what the student is showing in terms of behavior.
The paraprofessional who documents this data provides a valuable service for the IEP process. Sometimes a paraprofessional, as part of his or her job, is actually required to keep track of student progress, log behavior, and report that behavior to other appropriate staff members.
The following are simple ways to start collecting data in your classroom:
- Have students self assess.
- Keep a notebook or journal to track objective thoughts and observations. Stick to the facts. Opinions are best left unwritten.
- Customize a form that suits each individual situation or student in order to track information easily.
- Keep a portfolio of student work or samples to display how the student is progressing.
Consider the following core questions in regards to what data to collect:
- What is the goal of collecting this information? For example, is the goal to document behavior? To monitor progress toward IEP goals and objectives? To determine which adaptations or modifications work best? Or to determine what may or may not be working?
- What types of information do I need to collect to reach the goal? What is the function of the student’s behavior? What do you think the student is getting out of his or her behavior? What is the “antecedent” to the student’s behavior?
- Am I responsible for summarizing the data and writing the report?
- When should I be gathering this information? How often? Under what conditions?
- How will this information be used? Where will this information be used, and under what circumstances will it be used?
- Make sure that the information collected adheres to confidentiality laws, respects the student’s and parents’ sensitivities, and does not hurt or hinder the education or progress of the student.
- Be VERY careful what you write in email or say on a voice mail. Be careful when sharing information from the internet. If written on a school computer, it is archived and can be undeleted. Voicemail can be forwarded. This information can be subpoenaed.