The Northwest Arkansas Times notes that the Bentonville School District is implementing it, while Bright Futures USA representatives, including Executive Director Kim Vann and director C. J. Huff, both of whom are also full-time employees of the Joplin R-8 School District, were in North Carolina last week making a presentation to another school that is considering adding the program.
One of the major selling points used by Bright Futures USA, a non-profit that has operated out of the Joplin R-8 Administration Building at 32nd and Duquesne, is the success the local chapter has had in improving the graduation rate to 86 percent from the mid-70s since its implementation in 2010.
What does it take to join Bright Futures. From the Northwest Arkansas Times article:
Bright Futures does not work exactly the same in every community, Vann said.
"We have a framework we provide and share best practices, but it's very important that each community develops a flavor that is unique to the needs of their particular school community," she said.
Implementing Bright Futures comes with a one-time affiliation fee of $2,500. Typically a community business or organization offers to pay that fee, Vann said. For that fee a district receives its marketing and logo packages, social media package, training, a resource guide and ongoing support from the Bright Futures network, she said.
The increased graduation rate has more to do with lack of penalty if students turn in work late (or not at all), forcing teachers to change grades, and not counting absences. Bright Futures has little to do with increased graduation rates.
ReplyDeleteMy teacher spouse was once told by the boss to pass students who were failing or you might lose the job. I am sure these types of moves also contribute to students moving forward.
ReplyDeleteI worked for R8 for a long time and am very dismayed at the actions taken by our upper administration. They have hurt the entire community. However, I was never told or ordered to change a grade for any reason. I think if you make an accusation like that you better be prepared to tell the whole story. I have had students fail, deservedly, and that was that. But there are very few who did--so maybe that's the issue? Too many Fs? It hasn't been but a year since I left. I know teachers are encouraged to help students pass, but I was never ordered to pass anyone, not even so they could graduate. If that is happening, I'd suggest you point at that AD Bldg whose only claim to fame is the graduation rate and the tornado.
ReplyDeleteI also worked for R-8 and know for a fact that teachers were forced to change grades. One teacher friend of mine refused and her supervisor changed the grade and then the teacher was written up for insubordination.
ReplyDeleteAlso, graduation rates are bound to rise when GED certificates are counted, although this is not something unique to R-8.