Impacting Engagement for At Risk 8th Grade Students Through Home Visits

Impacting Engagement for At Risk 8th Grade Students Through Home VisitsProject team: Amy Carnie, Alexa Baxter, Adam Schwaninger

Presentation by Adam Schwaninger

Project TeamAmy Carnie Associate PrincipalAlexa Baxter 8th Grade CounselorAdam Schwaninger 6th-8th Grade Art Teacher

Baxter Carnie Schwaninger

Essential QuestionsWhat assessments are used to measure engagement?What instructional strategies are being used to increase engagement?What management strategies are being used to increase engagement?Can targeting small groups of students help increase engagement for all?Can involving students in activities in the school and school community increase their engagement in the classroom?

Project FocusSchoo Goal All students will increase engagement in all classesSIP Focus The SIP team focused on engagement in 8th grade students.Target Group 10 at risk students who: have 2 or more Ds and/or Fs on their 7th grade report card, scored below proficiency on NeSA math assessment, and were identified by their teachers as needing additional behavior support.

InterventionsMr.s Baxter and Mr. Schwaninger led a behavior group with the target students titled Why Try. (not the first Why Try group at Schoo)The group met bi-weekly to monitor progress and set behavior goals.The group focused on making a positive impact in the school and school communityHome visits were made with each student to discuss the students behavior and make a collaborative plan.

Group ActivitiesThe group created a video for the Schoo Day of Silence

Group ActivitiesThe group visited the Career Center and celebrated at Cicis Pizza

Group ActivitiesDJ the 8th grade block partyCreated positive/motivational spray paint stencilsPicked up trash/cleaned the buildingServing dessert at Matt Talbots Kitchen (4/29)Final celebration at defy gravity (TBD)

Data CollectionData was collected from 3 sourcesTeacher surveysEngagement, Respectfulness, PreparednessMath, English, ScienceStudent surveysEngagement, Respectfulness, PreparednessReport Cards

Students were able to see teacher data reports at the Why Try meetings

Data CollectionTeacher Survey

Data CollectionStudent Survey

Data CollectionExample Student Data Report

ResultsReport Card Data

ResultsTeacher Surveys - Engagement

ResultsTeacher Surveys - Respectfulness

ResultsTeacher Surveys - Preparedness

ResultsStudent Surveys

ConclusionsBehaviorally, students showed improvements in all areasEngagement, Respectfulness and PreparednessAcademically, Students had more Ds and Fs in quarter 3 than quarter 1.Student grades DID improve greatly from quarter 2 to quarter 3Students enjoyed the Why Try group, and ask about meeting frequentlyHome visits were received well be students and familiesData improved right before and after home visits.Conversations with families were invaluable