Data Tracking

Keeping Track of All the Data

Teachers are held accountable to the students, the parents and the school districts. We need to make sure that we are showing growth in our students. We need to be able to show this. We also need to plan what our students need to know. We need to make sure we know what we have done and where we are going. The students need to be able to see what growth they are making. They need to be able to see what they need and where they are going.

Tracking data helps us.

Tracking data helps the students.

Tracking data proves what we are doing and where we are going.

Tracking data gives us support and the students support.

Data Binders or Data Notebooks whatever you call them- will help with all of this. They can be work to set them up in the beginning, but once you think it through about how you want it set up, what you will include in it, and how they will be used and stored – it will be worth it. Just like everything – planning is key to implementation.

Planning

Some things to think about:

·       Will you use binders or folders?

·       Will the students keep them?

·       Will you keep one and the students keep one?

·       Will you keep all the students in one binder?

·       Where will you store them?

·       How will you update items?

·       How often?

·       How will you introduce them to the students?

·       Will you do any recognition for their successes?

·       What pages or assessments will you include?

·       Are you going to have a whole class section and individual student sections?

·       Are you going to jump in with everything or start with one topic?

There are pros and cons to all of these ideas. You are going to have to decide on your own.

Managing the Binders

·       Put the effort in the setting up.

·       Think it through. What do you really want/need in it?

·       Think about the order that the assessments are done for report cards. Put the tracker in that order. That way you are ready for filling out report cards and not flipping pages.

·       Use number tabs for the students. Don’t redo them every year.  Keep a class list in the front with each child’s number and name.

·       Put your state standards, common core standards, district curriculum in it. Whatever you need or use.

·       Color code! Always fun and always helpful. J Keep everything in the class room that color coded system. The math pages are blue – then blue bins for stations, blue paper for focus wall. Have fun with that and run with the theme.

·       Color pens are also a good tool to use! Each color should be used for a different assessment time.

·       Set a time every week to update the information. Keep notes throughout the week, then update on one day. Use the same markings consistently.

Keeping the results in mind is important. Remember that it can be a work in progress. Start small. As you find something that you think you could add or change make a note of it for next year. Post it notes are our friend. J Keep track of what you have done and when you did it. Use checklists. Share it with the students! Share your ideas and let them add their ideas – sometimes they come up with better ideas then we do. They know what helps them. Keep it simple. Share it with your administrator also. Let them give you some ideas that they would like to see. Does your district have expectations for data? Keep those in mind. Make sure to look at that data as you make your plans. Use them as you plan for the marking period and for the week. You will be amazed at how individualized you can make your lessons. You will not be teaching things that do not need taught – you will know who already has that skill. You can focus on what needs to be worked on.

Keeping that data in one place for all to use should make us feel proud of what we have been doing. It will also help when we need to get some extra help and support for our students. We will be able to prove it all!

The Classroom Data Tracking books from Carson Dellosa are filled with all of the help you need to get started or move up to the next level. There are pages for the whole class, assessment pages and pages for the students to keep track of their data.

To get all this done go to Carson Dellosa and get this resource! 

I participate in the Brand Ambassador Program from Carson-Dellosa and have received this product for free.

http://www.carsondellosa.com/products/104916--Classroom-Data-Tracking-Resource-Book-104916#/?book media type=f389e45b92884d48844baaf09d49e3c5