The data pattern indicates that variability is random

It is not always easy to determine why there is variability in a student's data.  Elsewhere in these statements we have talked about behavior/noncompliance issues, issues related to medication, stressful events in the life of a student, etc.  The worst thing a teacher can do, however, is to say to himself "This data collection stuff is worthless!  I am more confused by this data then helped by it!"  Please don't say that (you would break your instructor's heart if you said that).  

Potential Remedy

Whenever a teacher is in an instructional situation with a student where he cannot determine what is happening with the student's performance, the first question which should come into mind is reliability.  Is the data being collected reliable.  If so, the next thing to do is to consider taking more data, or more detailed data.  Perhaps the data is too gross, too general.  By getting more specific with the behavior being monitored, the instructor might get at what is causing the variability in the data.

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

Copyright Jeff McNair/jeffmcnair.com