Kristy BanksM.A., BCBA

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Day 3: Data or it Didn't Happen

Overwhelmed Already? Paperwork Reset Guide: 4 Days to Start the Year Strong

Kristy Banks · August 25, 2025

Day 3: Data or it Didn’t Happen

Welcome back to Day 3 of the Paperwork Reset Guide: 4 Days to Start the Year Strong. Hopefully Day 1 & 2 have helped you to get a good start to completing those beginning of year items and you are feeling a bit less overwhelmed. Today is all about data!

Progress monitoring and data collection is a large part of a Special Education Teacher’s job. It guides instruction day to day, week to week; it is collected and sent home to parents/guardians on a monthly, at the quarter, at the trimester or at the semester cadence; it is used to write and inform the annual IEPs and other forms such as BIPs.

Additionally, it is a requirement of the IDEA and must be communicated in the IEP. Setting up data systems before the school year begins ensures consistency, helps guide instruction, and makes compliance smoother.

Checklist: Building Data Systems

  1. Develop progress‑monitoring tools:

    • Decide the way you’ll collect data for each IEP goal:

      1. Frequency (tallies)

      2. Trial based (percentage correct)

      3. Duration of activity

      4. Weekly curriculum‑based measurements or portfolio samples

    • Create digital forms or binders that list each goal and the table for collecting data.

    • Decide who (e.g. general education teacher, special education teacher, paraeducator, student etc…) and when the data will be collected and record this on the form.

  2. Collect baseline data:

    • Determine whether pre-assessments are needed for initial data points.

    • Gather baseline data early so growth can be tracked from the start.

  3. Plan for data review:

    • Set regular intervals (e.g., every Friday) to review data.

    • Decide how you’ll graph or summarize trends to clearly show progress.

⚡ Laying this foundation now supports consistent data collection, strengthens communication with parents and staff, and ensures you’re prepared for IEP meetings and legal requirements.

😀 It’s tempting to put this off until a week or two into the year, but getting it done early takes a big weight off your shoulders. Consider ways to involve students in the process, like self-monitoring or graphing their own data, this can build ownership and motivation.

Stay tuned for the final day, Day 4, Teamwork makes the dream work!