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Data-Driven Grouping

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Christine Conceison

Tier 2
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Data-Driven Grouping

Participants will be able to identify key data points for forming effective social-emotional learning (SEL) and mental health support groups, and briefly discuss strategies for applying this data.

Effective group formation based on data leads to more targeted and impactful SEL and mental health interventions, ultimately benefiting student well-being and academic success.

Audience

School Adjustment Counselors, School Psychologists

Time

5-7 minutes

Approach

Concise presentation and rapid case discussion.

Materials

Small Group Slide Deck, and Discussion Prompts

Prep

Review Materials

5 minutes

  • Review the Small Group Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content.
    - Prepare to facilitate the Discussion Prompts by understanding the key talking points.
    - Ensure a projector or large screen is available for the slide deck presentation.

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up

1 minute

  • Display the first slide of the Small Group Slide Deck.
    - Greet participants and introduce the session's objective.
    - Pose one quick warm-up question: 'What's one data point you currently use for group placement?' (Allow for 1-2 very brief responses).

Step 2

Presentation: The Power of Data

2 minutes

  • Present slides 2-4 of the Small Group Slide Deck, rapidly highlighting different types of data (referral patterns, screening results, observations) and the concept of triangulation.

Step 3

Case Study Discussion

2 minutes

  • Present slides 5-6 of the Small Group Slide Deck which outline a brief case study scenario and student profiles.
    - Focusing on one or two students, quickly lead a large group discussion: 'Based on this data, how would you start to group these students, and why?' Encourage rapidfire suggestions.

Step 4

Share & Discuss

2 minutes

  • Facilitate a very brief debrief using 1-2 key Discussion Prompts to synthesize learning and address any quick questions about data-driven grouping.
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Slide Deck

Data-Driven Grouping: Sharpening Our Impact

Using Data to Form Effective SEL and Mental Health Support Groups

Quick Warm-Up: What's one data point you use for group placement?

Welcome. Briefly introduce the topic and the goal: using data for group formation. Ask: 'What's one data point you use for group placement?' Get 1-2 quick answers.

Why Data? (Quick Overview)

  • Informed Decisions: Move beyond intuition.
  • Targeted Support: Address specific student needs.
  • Measure Impact: See if interventions work.

Rapidly explain data's role. Focus on making objective, targeted decisions.

Key Data Points (Snapshot)

  • Referrals: Teacher/parent concerns.
  • Screenings: Identify at-risk behaviors.
  • Attendance/Discipline: Behavioral indicators.
  • Observations: Direct insights.

Briefly list key data types: referrals, screenings, attendance, observations. Emphasize breadth.

Triangulating Data: A Clearer View

Combining multiple data sources helps:

  • Understand student strengths/challenges holistically.
  • Identify common needs for strategic group placement.

Explain that combining data gives a fuller picture, leading to better group matching (similar needs vs. mixed skills).

Case Study: Quick Grouping Challenge

We have identified five 4th-grade students. Your task is to quickly consider how you would group them based on their data. We'll discuss this as a large group.

Introduce the case study very quickly. Explain that we'll discuss grouping without a worksheet. Prepare to guide a quick verbal discussion.

Student Profiles (4th Grade) - Discuss!

Student A:
- Referral: Withdrawn, few friends
- Screener: High internalizing (anxiety)

Student B:
- Referral: Impulsive outbursts
- Screener: High externalizing (anger)

Student C:
- Referral: Difficulty making friends, shyness
- Screener: Moderate internalizing (social anxiety)

Student D:
- Referral: Difficulty sharing, attention-seeking
- Screener: Moderate externalizing (impulsivity)

Student E:
- Referral: Feeling sad, lonely
- Screener: High internalizing (depressive symptoms)

Present student profiles. For 2 minutes, lead a discussion focusing on 1-2 students: 'How would you group Student A and Student B, and what data informed that?'

Debrief: Quick Takeaways

Let's briefly share some key insights. How did looking at this data influence your grouping thoughts?

Lead a very quick debrief. Ask one or two of the most critical discussion prompts to wrap up.

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Discussion

Discussion Prompts: Data-Driven Grouping
Use these prompts to guide a very brief debrief after the case study discussion.

## Quick Reflection
1. What was one key insight you gained about using data to form support groups, even in this short exercise?



2. What is one immediate step you could take to incorporate more data into your group planning?

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