Here’s a great video I just found on Valerie Strauss’s Washington Post education blog from PBS News Hour about how one LA middle school was turned around with small changes such as monitoring attendance closely with calls to the parent – especially in a pivotal year such as 6th grade. The school has regular meetings with teachers, administration, and social workers to discuss individual students who are showing red flags and how to improve the situation. Students with behavioral or personal problems also get support by forming bonds and developing trust through tutoring and talking with adult role models which are the staff of a non-profit partner organization. The principal states their suspension rate went from over 50% down to 15%, lowered the failure rate to 7%, and raised attendance.
A little TLC goes a long way!