Student data is an essential part of the teaching process. It gives us as teacher insight into a few things. The first relates to performance. If you are monitoring student data closely and they routinely have been performing well, but suddenly take a dip, it may be an indicator that they are struggling and need extra help. Collecting student data is also important to look at year over year progress. Are students, overall, performing at an acceptable level? Before you can even start to observe this type of data, you need to be recording it. Below are a few ways you can keep track and record students data.

Student Binders

It is important to keep a folder or binder for each student to monitor their progress over time. In addition, it give you a place to also include great work of theirs. This binder will be essential in guiding your individual instruction and feedback to each student. You can also use these binders as references in parent/teacher conferences!

Google Docs/Forms

By nature, Google docs and forms are meant to be collaborative. Using them to give feedback in real time on student drafts or leave notes of encouragement is a great way of collecting student data and give constructive feedback. There is a survey tool called Google Survey that you can use to collect information anonymously on a variety of topics.

Checklists and Data Forms

Use a Data form or excel spreadsheet to track student skills and behaviors. You can even keep a student goal sheet to encourage students to push towards their goals and stay motivated. Play around with what works best for your classroom, but these data forms can also be printed out and put into student binders!

Every teacher will have their own method of data collection and use. The only thing that matters is that you are keeping track of it somehow. This data will assist you in all different areas such as student engagement, overall student progress, and it can highlight areas where they are struggling.