Using Data Walls to Highlight Student Achievement

When one thinks of what a “data wall” might look like, you might think of a fancy, difficult to understand poster that receives limited attention.  However, Ellen Shoemaker has a data wall that receives much attention and praise from students.  Posted in her classroom, she uses her data wall with her students on a regular basis.  Doug Reeves suggests that “One of the most powerful techniques that educators and school leaders can use to improve decision-making in the classroom, school, and District is the Data Wall.”  Mrs. Shoemaker uses this tool to motivate her students and to give them a visual display of the standards that students are meeting and striving to achieve.  She also uses her Data Wall to share information with their fellow colleagues in regular Professional Learning Community (PLC) meetings.