Time on Task Data Sheets - Two Observation Forms

Structured observation grids let a teacher track a target student's on-task, off-task, and redirected behaviour against a peer in 10-second intervals.

Grades: Not Grade Specific
File type: Multiple File Types

Updated May 06, 2022

Subject: Classroom Management, Special Education Needs (SEN)
Topic: Data Tracking, Data Collection
Resource types: Teacher Tools

From the author

About this resource

Time-on-task behaviour is measured with two versions of the same observation grid — a fully-labeled "Student / Peer / Redirected" table and a compact "S / P / R" shorthand version — provided as both a PDF and an editable PowerPoint file. The observer chooses an average-performing peer in the same classroom, sits inconspicuously, and marks a plus or minus in each ten-second box across a two-minute table to record whether the target student and the comparison peer are attending to the task, then tallies a percentage of time on task for each. Space is included for observer comments, and the directions note the data can be shared at meetings or used to support writing IEP goals. The forms are branded "Good Human Project" and closer to the end include an unrelated Dalai Lama quote and a tagline about using animals to reinforce positive behaviour.

In the classroom

Teaching tips & learning objectives

Learning objectives

Use the included learning resource.

Teaching tips

Choose a peer of average classroom performance as the comparison point, as the directions specify, so the target student's percentage is meaningful relative to typical behaviour.
Sit inconspicuously so the student being observed does not change behaviour from awareness of being watched.
Use the compact S/P/R version for repeated short observations and the fuller labeled version when documentation needs to be self-explanatory for other readers, such as at an IEP meeting.
Collect data across multiple sessions over time to show a trend in attentional skills rather than relying on a single observation.

Skills covered

Structured behaviour observation — the teacher marks on-task, off-task, and redirected behaviour in 10-second intervals for both a target student and a comparison peer.
Data summarization — the teacher calculates a percentage of time on task from the tallied interval marks for use in meetings or IEP goal writing.

Good to know

Questions teachers ask about this resource

What is the difference between the two form layouts included?

One layout spells out "Student," "Peer," and "Redirected" as full row labels for clarity, while the other uses the same structure in a compact "S / P / R" shorthand for faster repeated marking.

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Resource details

Concepts & topics

Core concepts

Time-on-task observation
Behaviour data collection
IEP progress monitoring

Topics

Data Tracking Data Collection Tracking Time Observation Special Education Forms

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Categories this resource belongs to

Classroom Management Special Education Needs (SEN) Teacher Tools Not Grade Specific

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Classroom Management

Special Education Needs (SEN)

Teacher Tools

Not Grade Specific

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