Using Student Data, Analyzing Instructional Practices and Making Adjustments to Improve Student Outcomes

About the Training

Readiness to use a range of student data to make informed decisions about what instructional adjustments need to be made to improve student outcomes is among the most essential practices for special education teachers. Knowing how to interpret and report the data to make informed decisions is integral to the IEP process.  Data is the foundation for setting IEP goals, selecting appropriate interventions, and monitoring student progress.  

Using and interpreting a range of data sources can also help special education teachers identify areas in which students need specially designed instruction.  While some students may be able to develop their own learning strategies independently, students with disabilities often need explicit instructions to learn specific strategies that support their learning, including how and when to apply them.    Cognitive and metacognitive strategies are designed to help students become more self-directed and independent learners.  Teachers should purposefully and carefully select the cognitive and metacognitive strategies…