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How SLPs Collect IEP Data in Real Time — Without Sticky Notes

Raise your hand if you’ve ever rewritten data taken from sticky notes, folders, or the back of your hand into a Medicaid billing note or progress report. Was it at 5 p.m. on a Friday? Same. Real-time data collection sounds dreamy — but between back-to-back sessions and surprise fire drills, it’s easy to fall back into your (unorganized) ways and grab a pen and the closest thing you have to write on — think: gum wrapper or utility bill. Here’s how Kit for Teams helps SLPs log accurate data on the spot — without stopping your session cold.
By Lisa Kathman, M.S. CCC-SLP
teacher covered in colorful sticky notes

Raise your hand if you’ve ever rewritten data taken from sticky notes, folders, or the back of your hand into a Medicaid billing note or progress report. Was it at 5 p.m. on a Friday? Same. Real-time data collection sounds dreamy — but between back-to-back sessions and surprise fire drills, it’s easy to fall back into your (unorganized) ways and grab a pen and the closest thing you have to write on — think: gum wrapper or utility bill. Here’s how Kit for Teams helps SLPs log accurate data on the spot — without stopping your session cold.

What Real-Time Data Collection Usually Looks Like

If you’re like most school-based SLPs, your data “system” probably includes:

    • Paper logs in your therapy binder
    • Post-its with tally marks and abbreviations only you understand
    • Notes on your phone that never get entered
    • A plan to “do it later” (that never happens)

It’s functional… until it’s not. Especially when:

    • You have five back-to-back groups
    • Admin requests progress data by end of day
    • You can’t decipher your own handwriting from Tuesday

Kit Makes Real-Time Data Easy

Kit lets you track IEP goal data during your session — without stopping instruction. Here’s what you can do:

    • Click 👍 or 👎 to track accuracy for any goal or objective
    • Log which supports worked or didn’t work with ➕/➖
    • Add custom notes to specific goals or objectives
    • Jot down general session comments and reminders
    • Record audio notes if you prefer to talk through your observations

All of this happens while you’re working with students — not after they’ve left the room.

“It’s easy to track exactly what I did and how the student performed, without interrupting the session.” — Jen, SLP

What It Looks Like In Practice

When you start a session in Kit, you’ll see:

    • Each student’s name and IEP goals
    • A data calculator next to each goal (with visual thumbs icons)
    • Tools for supports, subjective notes, and audio capture

Everything you need is right on screen. You can see what goals you’re targeting, how the student responded, and what you might change next time.

Data Drives Decisions

Real-time data isn’t just about documentation — it’s about insight. When you log meaningful data in the moment:

    • You make better decisions for the next session
    • You’re ready for progress reports without scrambling
    • You build a clear picture of how each student is doing

Kit helps you do that in less time, with more accuracy.

Want to Make Sure Your Documentation Matches Best Practices?

ASHA recommends clear, consistent documentation that connects therapy activities to student goals and performance — and supports decisions around services.

👉 See ASHA’s guidance on documentation in schools

Want to Try It?

Kit for Teams is built by school-based SLPs who know what this job really takes. Start your free 14-day trial — no credit card required — and see how easy real-time data collection can be.

👉 Start my free trial


More from This Series

This blog is part of our Kit Feature Deep Dive series for school-based SLPs. Explore other posts in the series:

Lisa Kathman, M.S. CCC-SLP
Lisa Kathman is a veteran school-based SLP and the co-founder of SLP Toolkit, the parent company of Kit for Teams, and also co-founder of Bright Ideas Media, an inclusive, educator-led continuing education company. After two decades in the field — including serving as lead SLP in Arizona’s largest school district — Lisa is on a mission to simplify the day-to-day work of special education providers. She nerds out over data, documentation, and anything that helps special education teams feel more confident and less overwhelmed.

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