#spedchat Archive
#spedchat is a Twitter hashtag used for (1) daily, continuous research and resource sharing on issues related to and effecting students with disabilities, & (2) a scheduled weekly Twitter chat on Tuesday nights from 9:00-10:00 EST.
Tuesday January 19, 2016
Welcome to - Introduce yourself, tell where you are from, & what you do. Don't forget to use the hashtag for each tweet.
Welcome to - Introduce yourself, tell where you are from, & what you do. Don't forget to use the hashtag for each tweet.
Patty from Liberty Mo. I am a process coordinator
I'm Jodi from Indiana! Alternative HS SpEd teacher & private AT/AAC consultant. Excited about tonight's topic! :)
We're excited to welcome as a guest co-moderator tonight! She has a lot to contribute to our chat.
Good Evening, ! Tonya here from Indiana. Director of Sped and
Welcome to - glad you could join us! Is this your first chat?
From Indiana, AT Coordinator and BCBA for school district
Hi this is Laura cope with INI schools in Indianapolis. I'm the assistant director of special education. https://t.co/H1jLHtFIG7
Welcome to - Introduce yourself, tell where you are from, & what you do. Don't forget to use the hashtag for each tweet.
Hi, I'm Rachel, HS Sped Teacher and AT enthusiast from NE Indiana. Glad to be with my friends tonight!
Hi, I'm Rachel, HS Sped Teacher and AT enthusiast from NE Indiana. Glad to be with my friends tonight!
Thanks Jodi! Excited to co-moderate in one of my favorite chats!
Autumn from Indiana Freshman Resource Teacher
Good to see you! Have I mentioned I miss you? And LOVED my card last week?!? :)
Tonight's will discuss data collection resources and assessment!. Looking forward to great discussions.
Oh and friends--today is also Birthday so everybody join me in sending b-day wishes to her!!
Welcome to ! Glad a fellow Hoosier could join us! :)
Hi, Lisa from New Jersey Elementary Special Ed Teacher
We will post questions as Q1, Q2, etc.. Please tweet your response with A1, A2, etc. Don't forget to add to each tweet!
We will post questions as Q1, Q2, etc.. Please tweet your response with A1, A2, etc. Don't forget to add to each tweet!
Hi Lisa! Welcome to tonight.
I'm Jean from the tundra of NW MN. By day I function as an SLP and elem tech teacher.
Q1: When you think of data, what do you think of? Is it always formal assessments? Informal? Classroom? Normative?
Hi ! I'm Danielle from Indy. SPED Coordinator at
My name is Jacki, I teach Special Education K-5 in Independence, MO
https://t.co/jUxMiQdY4R
Welcome to - Introduce yourself, tell where you are from, & what you do. Don't forget to use the hashtag for each tweet.
Yay, you made it!! Thanks for joining tonight!
Hi I'm Courtney SLP from Indiana!
Glad you could join us for tonight!
Grad student from SC, focus in LD. Hi all!
Hey --glad to see you at ! Thanks for being here.
i guess i shouldn't complain about cold it is here tonight, you've got it worse!
Best websites to apply for , grants TIA
Thanks for joining tonight!
Jenny Smithson, Director of Spced Alexandria, Indiana.
Oh my gosh, I've missed you! So glad you're back for tonight!!
A1) I use all kinds of data to plan programming and meet due process requirements.
yeah, glad to see the SLP representation!
A1: Data, put simply is a measure of performance on a specific skill.
A1. Are usually think of in formal daily assessments that we used to change immediate instruction.
A1 - data collection on a weekly basis, I would use informal assessments.
A1 data is a pattern of events..can be formal or informal.
Jacki Ray, K-5 Special Education Teacher Independence MO
YES! I like this definition. Data=pattern.
heat wave here right now. We actually saw positive temps.
A1: I use data informally, formally, in all settings, and measuring anybody and anything. I may even be counting tweets tonight.
Hi Jacki! Thanks for joining us for tonight.
A1: Thinking of bx data. SIB, refusal, that fun stuff. Important to document for sure.
Hi all, I'm Amber Wolf 3-6 teacher Columbus, IN
A1- measurable information needed to examine if what you are doing is WORKING!
Thanks for joining us for ! Hope you guys don't get snowed in tonight. :)
A1: data is something I can track--quantitative and qualitative. I like numbers backed up with narrative.
Hey, thanks for joining tonight!! You picked a great topic!
Q2: What is your biggest challenge when it comes to data collection procedures?
Definately an assessment of what I'm doing to help!
A2: Biggest challenge w/data collection is collecting in a way that still allows time to analyze what collected & then plan/act.
A1: I think data can be formal and informal as long as it's measuring your goal
A2- interobserver reliability. hard to have two staff members on hand to just observe/take data! but it's an important process
A2: biggest challenge is being consistent and taking it on a regular basis
A2: Biggest data challenge is finding time to react to trends in student data on an individual basis and ongoing basis.
so true. taking data is one thing...but what are we doing with it?
So true! What one person sees, another may see/record differently! Both perspectives matter in using data accurately.
A2 keeping on a regular schedule without interruptions and having time to analyze data.
Thanks for joining us for tonight!
A1: measurable info needed to guide instruction and monitor progress
A2) Biggest challenge is to know when I have enough data to make an informed decision.
A2: it's frustrating to do an intervention long enough and with fidelity so you have enough data to make an informed decision.
A2. My biggest problem with data collection is not being able to capture the qualitative information to support important info
how often are we able to examine the data? what's your rule of thumb? every week, every month?
Agreed, it helps when you have a team that can help with problem solving.
Q3: What kinds of assessments do you find the most helpful for collecting data?
I'm guilty of making decisions based on what I immediately see/record. I often need to pause & get more info.
A2: def. finding time to collect and analyze
I agree, how long do we assess, observe, and wait to make big changes.
good point. look for trends. make sure other factors aren't contributing to the trend.
Hi, I am Angelique. I live in VA and work in a public school district as a coordinator/specialist in the Office of Special Ed.
We take data daily with google forms. I analyze every Friday and adjust instruction for the following week if needed.
A3: Assessments need to be quick & easy to give, evaluate, & act on. No time for hours of recording & tabulating.
A3: Assessments need to be quick & easy to give, evaluate, & act on. No time for hours of recording & tabulating.
A3- functional analysis! we often guess at what is driving the behavior. test it and prove it.
Thanks for joining tonight!
I'm guilty of taking to much data because I always want just one more session to verify what I am seeing.
A3: Data tools need to be quick and easy for Tt to use and analyze. It's critical to be able to take data and put into practice
so easy to go with your gut. after all, we are pros, right? but so dangerous.
That's exactly what I did when I taught self-contained classes. It worked perfectly for me.
Q4: How does your team monitor and ensure trustworthy measurement with data? (Validity, Accuracy, Reliability)
A2: Finding the most efficient way to take data and to analyze to find what you need!
Finding time! There is never enough time in the Sped world!
A3 Academics should be quick, but behavior needs to be more thorough.
A3: Different skills are assessed at different times, but we are fortunate to have developed a routine for data.
exactly, sometimes we need to give time and watch a behavior spike from intervention before effects kick in
I always look for trends but then connivence myself I need one more session to make sure.
very impressive, love that you are using Google Forms!
A3: Authentic assessments. Things that the student does in a contrived setting but w/o knowing it's an assessment
A4: Obviously, we assume I'm always right, have accurate data, & proceed accordingly. That's the best way, right? <sarcasm font>
Makes my life much easier
I am a slave to my routine and my data.
lol better safe than sorry, huh?!
Q4: I like Ss gathering their own data. Letting them take ownership of this process when possible!
A3: I like looking at NWEA or any assessment that gives immediate feedback/projected trend line. Teacher made are good for weekly
A4: Always good to get a second opinion! For Bx data I always have the teacher share data to compare to mine
A4- we graph. Graph that data! visual analysis is so helpful to really get a feel for what is going on
Do you find a week is enough? Can changing things quickly lead to premature assumptions abt beh.?
I try to use my gut feeling along with the data. Sometimes your gut can lead to astray. You need numbers.
A4: Paras use google forms on ipads for data related to behavior or IEP goals.
Graphing makes the visual clear to EVERYONE so nobody misinterprets info while planning interventions. Great idea!
A4 Honestly I don't know how the teachers do that in my district...note to self...
yes, no need to beat a dead horse with assessing academics. behavior...that's a horse of another color.
RTI and progress monitoring is great for Ss to track their own data. Great for sped & gened
A4: student report data individually on self monitoring, computer assessed skills and daily grades in our self contianed room
A4 My students graph their own data
So it's okay to beat the multi-colored horses that misbehave, but not the plain ones who read well. ;) https://t.co/v3z0bnetJS
yes, no need to beat a dead horse with assessing academics. behavior...that's a horse of another color.
yes! be cautious of observer reactivity. kids are smarter than we give them credit for sensitive to their surroundings.
Q5: What are your favorite resources for data collection and progress monitoring?
LOVE this! Your students have so much ownership of their own data! https://t.co/pFdFM0ZgTz
A4: student report data individually on self monitoring, computer assessed skills and daily grades in our self contianed room
A4: I enjoy programs such as , because the data is ongoing and easy to monitor.
Get kids involved. Let them in on their own progress. https://t.co/eY7iQbiWFt
Q4: I like Ss gathering their own data. Letting them take ownership of this process when possible!
I find that behavior is tough to make progress on, even with good data. No one wants to label EBD or get labeled.
oh NWEA...how you are consuming our lives:)
A5: Google forms, Google drive, Google sheets, anything Google...
A6. I'm pretty old-fashioned, I like a data wall where students put their own weekly assessment info, grit score and attendance
A5: we have a data warehouse online for the state and local assessments we give. And Google Sheets/Forms of course!
A5: I enjoy creating my own data collection sheets so they are specific to my Ss and the goal I am tracking
A5 easycbm, Aleks, readtheory, and for behavior, I use Google docs to individualize.
A5) I use an old app called percentally and Google forms. It's working for me but I can always get more efficient.
A5) I use an old app called percentally and Google forms. It's working for me but I can always get more efficient.
I am DYING without all my Google stuff. Oh, how I miss Google. I sing sad songs about it all the time.
A5: Ss use web based programs such as and to work on remedition skills. These tools provide lots of data
i think it depends on how many data pts u have and the trend. sometimes you don't need much
Q6: What kinds of technology (apps or computer) data collection tools do you find helpful?
YOU CAN'T USE GOOGLE ANYMORE?!??!
2 weeks ago: "Aw, Miss Click, do we HAVE to keep doing that?" Today: "Look! My grades went up! Did you see that?!"
which is why they have ownership. you also give a healthy dose of respect to Ss, very crucial.
lol well...i just hate when people take data once a month on behavior and feel they can identify the antecedent
A6: Google Forms allows me to gather data about Ss when in the general setting as well as collect data in the SpEd classroom.
No. <insert giant sad sigh here> We're a Microsoft corporation. It's like 1996. I just need a floppy disk for my data.
I think sometimes just explaining why we are collecting data and what we are using it for is key!
I have heard about this, I need to look into it a little more.
Look a lot more! It is the best guide!!
you know how i would feel in a world without Google stuff. It would get pretty ugly.
A6: Behavior Tracker Pro and a few others are out there for collecting observation data for FBAs. I like Moby Max too.
It's terrible. I whine a LOT. A lot lot. There's just no comparison to Google. Detox has been tough.
Q7: We frequently collect data for behavior interventions/analysis. What are your go-to behavior-specific data methods/resources?
A1-Adequate data gives us adequate information to act. It's the difference between taking stabs in the dark & being purposeful.
It'll change your life. And help educate others what to focus on! Simple, efficient, effective.
Check out 's Google Data Collection presentation! (Hint: It's why we asked her to moderate !) https://t.co/WQIFvMKKG0
A7: ABC format for my observations. Is there another way??
A7: I always begin behavior data with the BIP if we have one. Stay focused and include Ss to teach self monitoring skills.
Nope, just lots of different ways to record it. Everything goes back to ABC! (As easy as 1-2-3! Everybody sing!)
Q7 A beh chart that can be adapted. Sself-monitoring @ secondary level, Ss are responsible for collecting T initials on a Y or N
ABC! Easy as 123! And helps you figure out an antecedent intervention, not just a reactive one! https://t.co/7qeubCX1zB
A7: ABC format for my observations. Is there another way??
I appreciate any resources.
Mine has sort of faded to a murky off-white shade of dirt & fingerprints. :)
super excited to delve into your work and share! Thank you!
Q8: How is your student data most often used - to drive instruction, measure skills against a norm, evaluate staff?
mmmm, that means you are using it right. i swore i would burn it after my exam but it's like a drug
#8: If you aren't using it--why are you doing it? Data should drive instruction first. Everything else is a bonus!
A8: Data is best used when you can show a student growth that even the most stubborn student can't argue
A8: Personally, my constantly collected data drives my instruction and interventions. My overall data gets used to evaluate me.
A8: all three--growth, normative, and evals--that last one is only cause the government forces me to...grr.
A8: Ss data is used to track progress related to goals and objectives, to drive instruction, and interventions.
Just read through your Q&A. Any interest In doing a short interview? 😀Ur clearly an expert!
A8- ugly data is still good data. Look at what is not working, make a change. REACT.
Q8 To drive instruction at my level. Also to help Ps see trends, collaboration and consistency.
I appreciate books I can use over & over. This and my Bridges to Sensory Integration are my go-to books.
lol I might be game! Let's talk...
Q9: Do you have any great data ideas, docs, resources, or websites to share for newbies or seasoned data junkies?
sensory integration...can that be a future topic? i need the knowledge.
UGLY data provides more info & drives more interventions than pretty data. Find the ugly & act on it. https://t.co/dOIqvuG96h
A8- ugly data is still good data. Look at what is not working, make a change. REACT.
A9- don't just guess what is reinforcing to kids. research shows we often get it wrong. try this: https://t.co/lCUyxjzEDq
A5- (I am way behind- my 3 yr old woke up). Fave resources for data collection- https://t.co/djiyVm6cNs is a good one stop shop
Sure!! I love sensory integration! It's my first love. :)
A9: Try to plan for data collection. Make it meaningful, make it a routine, share the task with others even Ss, and then use it!
Buy Building Bridges to Sensory Integration. It's worth every penny. You'll reuse it forever.
, I see you stalking . Just come out and show yourself.
You can run but you can't hide from and I. You should know this by now! :)
Q10: Tell your data collection revelation of the night! Any new things you plan to try right away?
that would be a great chat! I use to work with Deaf and blind Ss with ASD. Always looking for ideas
A10: Going to check out the SETT Framework and see what I am missing.
A10: I need to get back into the habit of graphing over-time data w/students & not just having a data wall of in-the-moment data.
thanks for letting me check in and out tonight. You always leave me a lot of food thought.
A10- I vow to have students become more involved in the data collection process and vow to read that sensory book
A10: Ask my teachers how they check the fidelity, validity, reliability of their data. Crossing fingers they can answer...
hurray! it's specific to AT but lends itself to goal writing and data in general
I will add it to the list of topics for and I this year!
A10 I will not be afraid of ugly data and will use it to change my intervention more frequently.
A10: more student involvement is never a bad thing!
oh i am working with a deaf S who is taking astronomy right now, we should talk!
I am the AT team member for my county so this will be a great addition to my tool bag, I am sure. Thank you!
Ugly data for the win! Whoo-hoo! Find the ugly! Seek it out! Make it beautiful. :) https://t.co/gXHSxZhrZK
A10 I will not be afraid of ugly data and will use it to change my intervention more frequently.
classic answer will be there is no time. good planning can correct that tho
lol my favorite quote of the night!
well look who just stepped out of the shadows! you sneaky thing!
singoffpitch@gmail.com - Shoot me a message & I'll bombard you with AT resources. :)
Always needing my next topic for PD... https://t.co/5spVay5cQb
classic answer will be there is no time. good planning can correct that tho
Time to wrap up tonight! Thanks for the great dialogue & collaboration. Continue to use the hashtag as you finish your chats.
Ugly data is only scary when it's used to judge people & not their reaction to it or the intervention.
We will storify this chat and post later tonight so you can catch any missed tweets & check out all the posted links & resources.
oh you need to print that on a poster and i will buy it.
Thank you for the chat! You ladies are !
See you Tuesday,1/26, at 9:00 pm EST for the next . By request, let's chat about sensory integration! See you then!! :)
Huge THANK YOU to for joining and I for a great !
Thank you for an encouraging evening of collaboration. Always a pleasure!
