Presenters:James Klipa Brendan VinesKevin Kocher Jason Tatrai

Teaching Incentives To Advance Non-motivated Students

DEMOGRAPHICS

• Population: 23,391o White: 89%o Black: 9%o Other: 2%

• Avg. Home Value: $80,262• Education:

o College: 43%o High School: 41%o Less Than HS: 15%

• Income:o <$10-25K: 34%o $25-50K: 31%o $50-100K: 30%o $100K+: 4%

• Grades: 6-8• Students: 750

o White: 80%o Black: 18%o Other: 2%

• Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:18

• Free/Reduced Lunch: 30%• Special Ed.: 10%• Gifted: 5%

West Mifflin Community West Mifflin Middle School

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF MOTIVATING STUDENTS

• Assemblies• Stickers• Food• Movies • 10 more minutes at

Recess• Teaming• Reinforcement

@ WEST MIFFLIN AREA MIDDLE SCHOOL….

STUDENTS HAVE COME TO EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!

WHY?• Traditional “In the Box” Teaching• Student Morale • Teacher Morale

• NOT ACHIEVING AYP

HOW?• Reorganization of School Culture• Administrative Change of Philosophy

(Teacher Empowerment)• Staff Change of Philosophy

o Flexibility and Creativity o “Thinking Outside the Box!”o Teaming

EXAMPLES

E.A.R. PROGRAM

• Effort, Attitude, and Respect• Recognize and reward consistent, positive

behavior• Reinforced with short videos and speeches• Student receives sticker with every referral• Promotes character education and ethical

values• Earn various rewards

E.A.R. PROGRAM

TEAM T-SHIRTS

TITANPRIDE

OCTOBERFEST: PUMPKIN OLYMPICS

Teaming kickoff event for the year to encourage friendly competition between both 7th grade teams

STAFF COSTUME DAY

FILL THE BUS

• Annual school-wide food drive• Greater Pittsburgh Community

Food Bank• Team Competition• Raised over 4 tons of food

FILL THE BUS

WHERE’S THE BEEF?

Used to encourage better open-ended responses by rewarding students with perfect scores on the 4sight Reading test with hamburgers.

FALL SPORTS REC./TURKEY BOWL

CHRISTMAS SWEATER DAY CONTEST

100% HOMEWORK CLUB

Established to honor all students who have completed all homework for a 9 week grading period in EVERY class.

SHOW ME THE MONEY!

Used to encourage better open-ended responses by rewarding students with proper scores on the 4sight math test with "Titan Cash"

PRICE IS RIGHT

Competition between 7th grade teams held during final preparation week before PSSAs

PSSA PEP RALLY

Event held before PSSAs.  Ryan Clark of the Pittsburgh Steelers and other members of the school staff addressed the students on the

importance of the test and representing school pride

PSSA TAILGATE

Every student from the previous year scoring a Proficient or Advanced on both PSSA tests were treated to a cookout and tailgate before the first home varsity football game.  Also recognized in pre-game festivities

Talent Show

After PSSA Students & Faculty Evening Performance

TEAM FIELD TRIPS

Field trips rewarding consistent effort and achievement in the classroom

SCHOOL BEAUTIFICATION

Students having the opportunity to decorate their school

FUN DAY

End of the year event for students. Activities include Faculty Dunk Tank, Inflatables, Picnic Lunch, & More

EVIDENCE OF SUCCESS• How did you feel at the beginning today?• PSSA Scores (Last 4 years)

• Red is Before Implementation of Programs

Year Math Reading

2005-06 52% 61%

2006-07 56.8% 61.8%

2007-08 78.8% 72%

2008-09 78.3% 75.2%

MEETING AYP

FOR MORE INFORMATION• Email: 

plichtab@wmasd.org Brian Plichta - Building Principal

• School info: West Mifflin Area Middle School 371 Camp Hollow Road West Mifflin, PA 15122 412-466-3200 www.wmasd.org

klipaj@wmasd.org vinesb@wmasd.org

kocherk@wmasd.org tatraij@wmasd.org