Program helping boost confidence in middle school

October 22, 2009

Tim Mandell The Richmond Register Thu Oct 22, 2009, 07:04 AM EDT

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.

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