The data may not be reliable

There are a lot of reasons why the data may not be reliable.  Reliable data is data that truly represents the situation it is monitoring.  In statement 15 we briefly discuss observer drift, often the cause of unreliable data.  Perhaps data collectors do not understand what they are doing.  Perhaps data collectors do not want the student to do well, or do not like the student.  Oftentimes, however, unreliable data is due to behavioral objectives in which the behavior is not clearly described.  

Potential Remedy

The best single thing a teacher can do to ensure her data is reliable is to write IEP objectives which have very clear descriptions of both the behavior and the criterion.  Statements made such "Johnny will reduce his hyperactive behavior" or "Sally will read at the 4th grade level" or "Amanda will keep her hands to herself" are so ambiguous as to mean nothing.  Then imagine having to take data on behaviors on the basis of such non-specific statements.  Like the rudder on a ship, good objectives guide all aspects of the instructional program.

You can email Dr. McNair at jmcnair@calbaptist.edu

Copyright Jeff McNair/jeffmcnair.com