During my first few segments in the ‘SLP 101’ series, I’ve mentioned ‘Working Folders’. I thought I’d explain what that means to me! I actually have 3 different systems this year because I’m in 3 buildings with different needs. 
I have regular student files that stayed filed in the filing cabinet. I also need another folder for my groups so that I can easily keep organized. For my elementary students I use a file folder for each group. I made up an example so I could show you! I put my attendance sheet stapled to the left hand side. You can find my data sheet for each student included in this packet. 
In the file I keep these Student Information Sheets from my friend Amy at Major Speech Minor Girl. 
I also keep the file review sheets I completed at the beginning of the year. Throughout the year as I get to know my students better, I will add packets of homework to easily pull from. At the middle school, I have a bit of a different system. I use binders because I travel out of my room! 
In the front I keep my daily schedule and my caseload sorted by IEP Due Date and ETR Due Date. 
That’s the teacher list on the left side (still trying to learn names!) and each student has a divider with a pocket. The binders are divided by what time of day I see the students (am/pm). Lastly at my last school, I don’t have a lot of my own ‘space’. I’m using this accordion file from Target. 
Each student has a file space within it! 
PS – It happens to match my cup, which makes me happy! So, those are my different systems this year! It’s always changing! Do you use anything similar?!
The SLP 101 series covers topics for school based therapists. Check out these other SLP 101 Topics:
Getting Started in the Schools :: Learning Targets :: Working Folders :: Scheduling :: Welcome Letter, Attendance, Billing :: Interviewing :: Salaries :: Common Core
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I’m LOVING that accordion file! I think that’s just what I need for a file to take to IEP meetings!
http://oldschoolspeech.blogspot.com
What are your numbers at each site? My elem is average and workable but my middle school is outrageous this year – I’m only there 2 days per week with a SLPA for one but OMG, it’s crazy this year!
OUr district MS #s are way high this year too! Crazy! I split it with another SLP so I’m only there one day and I have 14 unit kids.
Thanks Jenna for sharing! Your 1st working file folder is similar to mine with the exception of the attendance log. We have to turn ours in either every semester or at the end of the school year, so I have always kept them in a seperate binder. However, then it makes more work to cross reference the data sheets and go back. I like your idea of keeping it right in the folder! I just bought a 2 hole punch and prongs to keep them in place! THANKS!!!
#1) Thanks for the shout out about my student information pages.
#2) I do the EXACT same thing with my junior high kids. I have a binder. I have two tabs per period of class. I usually have 2 groups per class period. I keep response records in the front of the pocket for each student in the group. Then I keep attendance/schedules for each student in the back portion of the pocket. I LOVE this system and I have used it ever since I started in the schools. I have used Crazy Speech Worlds planner this year to help keep track of IEP dates etc. =) Thats how I organized this year =)
Thanks for sharing…my first year so this is really helpful!
wow, that is a great collection of forms! Nice work, and thanks for sharing that.
I love this series you did, and I’m revisiting it now that I have a year of experience under my belt and am rethinking some of my organizational strategies. For student files, I struggle with keeping data and materials for each of my students organized individually (in particular for progress monitoring and medicaid records), along with materials for each group (for more efficient session planning/organization). I’d love to hear any thoughts you have!
I like your idea with the binder! I might have to switch to that. I currently have a file folder for each of my clients with their POC & data sheets in them. I also use an accordion filer to organize & carry my files. I am a travel Speech Assistant & I go to houses, daycares & our office and I have a total of 50 kids but I obviously don’t see them all every day so I’d like to be able to organize them by days too.
In 8 years in schools I have always used a 2-pocket folder with 3-hole prongs in the middle for each student. In the prongs I put (front to back) the attendance record, then the contact information for the student’s parents and the contact record, then any notes about the student’s likes/interests/etc., and last- the student’s schedule. In the right pocket I put my data sheets with each goal fully written out. In the left pocket I put future materials or packets to work on. It works for MOST students, but a few are more complex and need their own system. These folders then going in hanging file folders organized by the cycle day (or week day) that they are seen.