Where Do I Keep All This Behavior Data?

 For anyone dealing with complex behaviors on a daily basis, data should be your best friend - The friend you call right after your boyfriend breaks up with you. The friend you watch sappy movies with. The friend that tells you to buy that $150 sweater.

As behavior analysts and educators, data is one of the main ingredients of successful behavior change. But, as we all know, keeping track of data sometimes sounds like this: "Where did I put it that sheet…? Why did I write a 5/10 on the back of my hand? Do you know where the frequency clicker is? I forgot how many times she screamed today." You don’t want to be making up numbers or jotting random notes down at the end of the day or come progress report time (false reporting on IEPs isn’t exactly what you want to be doing if you want to keep your job).

So, where are your best options to keep this loving data?

Clipboard – I get envious of teachers who have color-coded student clipboards hanging up on the walls, because who honestly doesn’t want a Pinterest-worthy classroom? It can be most helpful to have a clipboard assigned to each student (depending on how many students you have) and keep them on the wall or in a clipboard rack. Whatever you decide, be sure to place a sheet over the top to protect private student information.

IPad – A few years ago our district was nice enough to buy everyone mini ipads for the classroom. If you are a wizard at making spreadsheets, or are lucky enough to have a district purchased data tracking system, it’s a game changer! Pro tip: It can be in your best interest to slap an uber protective case on it because, well, you know…

Binder or Folder – Whether you assign a binder or folder to each student or you use just one that contains data sheets that correspond to similar goals, you really can never have enough binders…or folders…or both. I could go on a tangent about how amazingly helpful binders and folders are when it comes to student behavior programs, but I will save that for a later date!

Stations – When I taught, I found it easiest to keep one binder at each instructional center. Each student had their own section filled with data sheets I needed to track progress on whatever objectives he or she was working on at that time. I trained my teaching assistants on the same setup (they ran centers as well), so everyone was collecting data in similar ways. This made things easy when someone was out or we had to swap roles due to a student crisis.

Bathroom/Sink/Morning Meeting/Break Area – You think we are joking but we aren’t! Keep data where you actually take it! I can hardly remember what happened 5 minutes ago, so walking across the room trying to remember a prompt level or number of times your student cursed at you, all while four other children are calling your name…you get where we’re going with this – we forget.

Center of the Room – Keeping data sheets (no matter how you store them) in a central location can be helpful. That way, no one is ever scrambling to look for a specific data sheet.

The moral of the story? Use what works for YOU! If having 8 binders or trying to keep track of an iPad is too overwhelming, don’t use them! Heck, there were days when writing on the back of my hand was the most efficient. Just remember, the data needs to be as close to accurate as possible. So, if you and your staff can be more accurate with one clipboard and 7 pieces of paper on it, rather than 7 clipboards with one piece of paper on each AND it’s easier, do that.