Yakima elementary school cut behavior problems in half
YAKIMA, Wash. -- A school plagued with behavior problems found a way to turn things around in a short time. Adams Elementary here in Yakima added new rules, new rewards and new assistant teachers.
Recess is a time for play and horseplay
"We had a large number of expulsions, well over 10 students that were actually sent to other schools," said fifth grade teacher, Jerris Hayden.
Teachers and administrators began to make some changes to the rules.
"There were about seven of them," said teacher, Katie Mirkovich. "They were really wordy. Kids didn't really know what they were. They wouldn't be able to repeat them to you."
A simple four letter acronym listing the rules is now standard in every classroom. There are new behavior charts, tempting rewards for good behavior, and more one-on-one time with teachers helped too. Grant money allowed teachers at Adams Elementary to add two or three assistant teachers in each classroom.
All the changes add up to success. More than 360 students were given detention or suspended when the program started in the 2009 - 2010 school year. Last year, that number was nearly cut in half. Less than 200 students were sent to the office for discipline problems. Playground problems are a quarter of what they were in 2010.
"I think it goes with them wherever they go," said Hayden. "I think we've giving the kids a gift."
A gift they hope is ultimately passed on to you, in the form of well-behaved adults.
The school rules were actually voted on by the students themselves. Teachers say it gave the students more incentive to follow them.
Recess is a time for play and horseplay
"We had a large number of expulsions, well over 10 students that were actually sent to other schools," said fifth grade teacher, Jerris Hayden.
Teachers and administrators began to make some changes to the rules.
"There were about seven of them," said teacher, Katie Mirkovich. "They were really wordy. Kids didn't really know what they were. They wouldn't be able to repeat them to you."
A simple four letter acronym listing the rules is now standard in every classroom. There are new behavior charts, tempting rewards for good behavior, and more one-on-one time with teachers helped too. Grant money allowed teachers at Adams Elementary to add two or three assistant teachers in each classroom.
All the changes add up to success. More than 360 students were given detention or suspended when the program started in the 2009 - 2010 school year. Last year, that number was nearly cut in half. Less than 200 students were sent to the office for discipline problems. Playground problems are a quarter of what they were in 2010.
"I think it goes with them wherever they go," said Hayden. "I think we've giving the kids a gift."
A gift they hope is ultimately passed on to you, in the form of well-behaved adults.
The school rules were actually voted on by the students themselves. Teachers say it gave the students more incentive to follow them.
