278. How to Conduct a Mid Year Check In using a Data Wall
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Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified. Happy December. This time of year is fast paced as the semester wraps up and the holidays approach. In the last episode I briefly mentioned data walls, and today I am taking a deeper look at how to conduct a mid-year check-in using a data wall.
While end-of-year reports are valuable, data tracking should not be reserved only for the end of the school year. Ongoing data review is essential because it helps ensure that the support you provide continues to meet the changing needs of your students.
A data wall is a bulletin board that visually highlights the impact of your counseling services. It allows you to quantify student progress through tools such as self assessments and behavior surveys. This data can illustrate growth from the start to the end of your small groups and other interventions.
Your data wall can also show the volume of services you have provided. This includes the number of students you have seen, the sessions you have held, and the lessons you have taught. You can gather these numbers from your logs, scheduler, or calendar.
Creating a data wall strengthens your advocacy efforts, informs curriculum adjustments, and communicates the value of your program to students, families, and staff. Once your data is organized, use charts and graphs to present your findings clearly.
Key reminders
Keep all information anonymous to maintain confidentiality
Use only the data that is most helpful
Update your data wall quarterly, monthly, or by semester
Place it in a high traffic area to maximize visibility
This simple mid-year check-in will help you celebrate progress, identify needs, and confidently communicate the work you are doing. If you create a data wall, share it with me on Instagram. I would love to see it.
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More About School Counseling Simplified:
School Counseling Simplified is a podcast offering easy to implement strategies for busy school counselors. The host, Rachel Davis from Bright Futures Counseling, shares tips and tricks she has learned from her years of experience as a school counselor both in the US and at an international school in Costa Rica.
You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!
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