Data Walls That Drive Decisions: How Shenendehowa Built a Data-Driven Culture

Tier 1/2 Student Numbers

Baseline Steadily declining

Improving

Teacher Data Access

Weeks into school year Day 1

Instant

Data in Teacher Conversations

Rare Naturally woven in

Cultural shift

Symptom

In 2021, Shenendehowa implemented a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) plan. While the plan provided a structured framework, the district lacked an efficient system to analyze data. Data collection was fragmented across multiple platforms, making it difficult to track and monitor student progress effectively. Even with an impressive 94% graduation rate, the district wanted more. "We won't be happy until all students reach their full potential," says Sara Schneller, Director of Student Learning & Data Accountability.

People

Sara Schneller led the platform selection and district strategy. Vanessa Cramer, the 6-12 instructional coach, designed data walls for middle school. Aaron Girard, the elementary data and instruction coach, synchronized data across all 11 buildings. Team: - Sara Schneller — Director of Student Learning & Data Accountability - Vanessa Cramer — 6-12 Instructional Coach, data wall design - Aaron Girard — Elementary Data & Instruction Coach - Teachers across 12 buildings

Data

Data walls provide a holistic view of student performance, combining academic, behavioral, and attendance data in one place. Sixth-grade teachers no longer rely solely on state assessment scores to understand incoming students — they gain full profiles. "Teachers now begin the school year with data at their fingertips — an unprecedented advantage," says Cramer. Girard adds: "These days, I'm hearing data naturally woven into teachers' conversations. It's a sign we're building a stronger, data-driven culture." "We've seen our numbers of Tier 1 and Tier 2 students steadily decline since implementation," says Schneller. "It's helped us confirm that we're identifying the right students, meeting their needs, and helping them achieve academic success."

Plan

Implementation rolled out over three years: 2022-23: Platform selection (the district evaluated multiple options — customization was the deciding factor), data integration, and initial setup. "We did not want a standardized, one-size-fits-all solution," says Schneller. 2023-24: Full implementation across middle and elementary schools. Cramer designed data walls for grades 6-8. Girard synchronized data from all 11 buildings. High school adoption began. Ongoing: Academic intervention services teachers use the platform to share goals, progress, and strategies with classroom teachers. "This structured approach ensures that everyone is aligned and working toward the same goals for each student," says Girard. A 7th-grade student entered the district reading at a first-grade level. "By closely monitoring his progress and targeting his specific needs, he advanced to a fifth-grade level by year's end — a remarkable achievement," says Cramer.

Resources

Shenendehowa Case Study (PDF)

Full case study from Mr. Elmer