I always feel like a headless chicken at the beginning of the school year–especially when I’m starting at a new school with a new caseload.
Luckily, the overwhelm has decreased over the years! I’m excited to share my steps for setting up your caseload.
Step 1: Make a List
Putting together a list of your students can end up being quite the scavenger hunt–especially depending on the school district!
Here are some things that you can try when compiling that list:
– Contact your special education department.
– Look for a list of last year’s students (or their files).
– Ask the office administrator for class lists.
– Check your online IEP system.
Step 2: Organize the Data
Then, I make sure to add a list of my students to the district’s IEP software. This is usually good enough when it comes to tracking IEP and evaluation due dates, but it was never easy to use when it comes to finding planning scheduling, keeping track of parent contact information, creating data sheets, etc.
I export the data and add it to my SLP Now account. (Not sure how to export? Contact your special education department and/or IT friends! You might also be able to find a tutorial by searching the name of your district’s software on Google!)
I love this, because it makes it so easy to access the information that I need on a daily basis! I can find my student’s age, teacher, parent contact information, goals, etc. in a matter of seconds.
Step 3: Review Your Files
Now that all of the data is organized, I can dive in a file review.
As I look over the files, I enter my student’s goals and make notes in the student’s SLP Now profile.
Step 4: Create a Caseload at a Glance
I also fill out a Caseload at a Glance sheet to help break things down even more. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when tackling a new caseload, and this sheet just makes it feel that much more manageable! It makes it easier when setting up groups, and it helps me prioritize which materials I need to track down and/or create.
Ready to tackle your caseload?
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