Partnership from Day One
Parents are your most important partners in behavior support. How you introduce tracking in the first week shapes whether they see you as ally or adversary.
Framing Matters
Avoid This Framing
- "We need to document your child's behaviors"
- "There have been some concerns"
- "We are tracking problems"
- "Your child has been..."
Use This Framing
- "I want to understand how to best support your child"
- "Data helps me see what is working"
- "I am tracking progress toward goals"
- "Your insights will help me help your child"
First Week Parent Contact
Introductory Contact (Days 1-3)
Brief positive introduction. Share something specific you noticed about their child. Mention you are establishing baseline data to support their success.
Information Gathering (Days 3-5)
Ask: What helps your child succeed? What should I watch for? What worked well last year? Position yourself as learner.
Communication Plan (End of Week 1)
Establish how and when you will communicate. Daily notes? Weekly summaries? Preferred contact method? Set expectations early.
Explaining Data Collection
When parents ask why you are collecting behavior data:
Key Messages
- "Data helps me see patterns" - I can identify what triggers challenges and what helps
- "Data shows progress" - Even small improvements become visible over time
- "Data guides decisions" - I adjust my approach based on what works, not guessing
- "Data supports your child" - IEP teams need evidence to provide appropriate services
What to Share vs. What to Hold
| Share Regularly | Share Thoughtfully |
|---|---|
| Progress toward goals | Raw incident counts without context |
| Strategies that are working | Comparisons to other students |
| Positive observations | Every minor incident |
| What you are trying | Speculation about causes |
Parents Want the Same Thing You Do
Remember: parents want their child to succeed. When you approach them as partners working toward the same goal, data becomes a shared tool rather than a threat. Start the year as allies.
Take Action
Put what you've learned into practice with these resources.
Key Takeaways
- Lead with partnership, not problems
- Explain the WHY of data collection, not just the what
- Emphasize that data helps you help their child
- Establish regular communication rhythm from the start
- Ask for their input and observations
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About the Author
Dr. Sarah Mitchell consists of former Special Education Teachers and BCBAs who are passionate about leveraging technology to reduce teacher burnout and improve student outcomes.
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