Religion and Education
Program helping boost confidence in middle school
Not long ago, Madison Middle School had developed a reputation for low test scores and behavior problems.
The school’s reputation had sunk so low that when the county school district re-aligned middle school zones in February, concerned parents went before the school board to voice displeasure about being moved into Madison Middle’s zone.
At one meeting, a mother said, “We’re parents who are afraid of Madison Middle School.” She asked, “What are you going to do to make Madison Middle better, fast?”
Now, educators and parents say the school has been launched on upward path, thanks to a plan that has helped schools around the country boost enthusiasm, encourage participation and reward success.
Called the Jostens Renaissance program, it is designed to re-energize a school’s educational atmosphere while creating and seizing opportunities for success, according to information from the company’s Web site.
“We wanted to get involved in Renaissance to reward students for outstanding effort,” said Madison Middle School assistant principal Scott Anderson.
“The whole idea was to get involvement,” he said. “The Renaissance program gets both parents and students involved. It gets parents, teachers and students working together in an atmosphere that’s fun to learn in.”
Madison Middle School has used academic pep rallies, recognition ceremonies, scholarships and other awards to help make the school experience enjoyable for students, while also giving everyone a sense of importance to their community.
The result is a school environment that is safe and accepting, Anderson said. The Renaissance program also has improved behavior and attendance, which in turn, has boosted academic performance.
“We’ve had a 90 percent reduction in office referrals for discipline,” Anderson said. “Grades are improving. Behavior this year has been unbelievable. The students are really enjoying school. They want to come to school. Parents are happy. They’re pleased with what they’re seeing.”
For the 2008-09 school year, Madison Middle School failed to reach Adequate Yearly Progress for the sixth consecutive year, reaching just 12 out of 16 goals in the Kentucky Core Content Test, which measures proficiency in reading and writing, as part of the No Child Left Behind Act.
The school also had its share of disciplinary actions and controversy, including the November, 2008, arrest of Brandon Rousey, an assistant coach and teacher’s aide, who ultimately was sentenced to one year in prison for unlawful use of electronic means to induce a minor to engage in sexual activity.
While the school has already begun to see changes during the current school year, with better grades and fewer behavioral problems, parents also are seeing positive results.
Samantha Burford, a parent whose child was affected by the district realignment, said she has taken to the Renaissance program, and like many parents, has become more involved with its activities, especially the pep rallies.
“It’s a wonderful motivational tool,” Burford said of the rallies. “It’s like an athletic pep rally, except the students are celebrating academic achievement.”
The pep rallies are conducted every nine weeks. The schools also gives five student-of-the-week awards, two teacher-of-the-month awards.
There also are monthly meetings to get everyone involved in planning, as well as ongoing project to raise money for the awards, which feature anything from Dairy Queen Blizzards to bikes and laptop computers.
“All the students and parents are happy to be Madison Middle,” Burford said. “They’re all on board and happy.”
Madison Middle School will have its next pep rally on Nov. 6.
Tim Mandell can be reached at tmandell@richmondregister.com or 623-1669 ext. 6696.
- Religion and Education
-
-
Parents upset about test scores, deficiencies
The frustration was evident in the voices of a number of Berea Community School parents who spent more than an hour Monday night addressing the Berea Independent Board of Education.
The parents spent most of the evening talking directly to middle school/high school principal John Masters about a lack of communication with school personnel and asking for answers about how the district intends to correct a number of deficiencies identified by the state in a December audit. -
Berea Independent Schools propose make-up schedule
Berea Independent Schools has announced a proposed schedule to compensate for 11 days missed during the school year because of inclement weather and the H1N1 virus.
The schools were closed for seven days during the first three months of 2010 because of weather and for four days in October when illness forced the district to shut down. -
Central wins second straight title
In 1967, world champion boxer Muhammad Ali (formerly known as Cassius Clay) went on trial for refusing to enter the U.S. Armed Services. The Vietnam War was then raging, and, based on his religious convictions, Ali unsuccessfully had applied for conscientious objector status.
Although he was convicted for resisting the military draft, the U.S. Supreme Court later overturned the verdict. -
Students focused on energy
Students at Eastern Kentucky University, many of whom are planning careers as teachers or have already begun their teaching careers, are spending this semester learning about environmental issues.
Those taking Ecology for Teachers, an undergraduate class taught by Billy Bennett, and Environmental Science Issues, a graduate course taught by Melinda Wilder, have utilized a grant that allows students to actively pursue ways to teach their classmates and current and future students. -
Foster Music Camp at EKU to celebrate its 75th season
The nation’s second oldest music camp will celebrate its 75th season this summer at Eastern Kentucky University.
Founded in the midst of the Great Depression, the Stephen Collins Foster Music Camps — with numerous camp options throughout June for middle school and high school students — continue to draw young musicians from throughout the nation and even internationally. -
Students tell educators why they left school
For some students, graduating from high school and going to college is their goal.
For others, turning 16, dropping out and getting a job is their goal.
That is one message a group of education leaders and First Lady Jane Beshear heard Monday from some former Madison County High School students. -
Citizens Trade Campaign founder to speak Thursday in Berea
Lori Wallach, founder of the Citizens Trade Campaign, a diverse national coalition established in opposition of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), will be speaking Thursday at Union Church in Berea at 3 p.m. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.
-
Students score well in testing
During the fall, eighth and 10th graders throughout the state were given assessment tests as a way to help identify areas of academic strength and weakness.
Students in 10th-grade took PLAN in preparation for taking the ACT during their junior year and to allow them to see in which subjects they need improvement and what careers might be of interest to them.
-
Director of black history museum to speak Thursday at Berea
A Berea College graduate who has directed major museums interpreting the experience of black Americans will speak 3 p.m., Thursday, in Phelps Stokes Auditorium as part of the college’s Black History Month celebration.
-
Dropouts darkening Kentucky's future, Madison County educator says
Madison County Superintendent Tommy Floyd and his teachers have the data. They can point to students in fifth and seventh grades and tell which are likely to drop out before graduating.
- More Religion and Education Headlines
-
