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Rate

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Rate is the count of a behavior or response divided by the observation time, such as words per minute or requests per hour.

Topic: Measurement and data collection

In plain terms

Rate lets you compare counts from observations of different lengths. Ten call-outs in a 50-minute class and 5 in a 25-minute class are the same rate: 0.2 per minute. In academics, rate combines accuracy with speed, which is why fluency goals use words correct per minute or digits correct per minute.

How it shows up in an IEP

Use rate when observation time varies from day to day, or when speed matters as much as accuracy. The goal and the data sheet should state the time unit, and the teacher should record both the count and the minutes observed each session.

Example

A student greets peers 6 times in a 20-minute recess on Monday and 9 times in a 30-minute recess on Tuesday. Both days work out to 0.3 greetings per minute.

Not the same as Event recording

Frequency is a raw count. Rate divides that count by time so sessions of different lengths can be compared. Read the definition of Event recording.

Related terms

  • Event recording (frequency)Event recording is a way of collecting data by counting each time a behavior or skill happens during a set observation period.
  • WCPM (words correct per minute)WCPM is the number of words a student reads correctly in one minute from a passage, used to measure oral reading fluency.
  • Digits correct per minuteDigits correct per minute is a math fluency measure that counts each correct digit in a student's answers on a timed probe, divided by minutes.
  • Math fact fluencyMath fact fluency is the ability to recall basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts quickly and accurately.
  • Data sheetA data sheet is a form for recording a student's performance on an IEP goal in a consistent way each session.

On IEP Atlas

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