What's Working in Idaho with NCLB: 3 Successes: Caldwell School District

GOING THE EXTRA MILE

Caldwell children live below the federal poverty line and many students have limited English proficiency. It takes more time and money to help these high-risk students excel.

But federal NCLB legislation makes no exceptions. All children must meet state standards in reading and math, as well as a new science test that will be added this spring.

Caldwell administrators aren't complaining. Instead, they've taken action by establishing an extended-day program for migrant students and English language learners, before and afterschool classes for underperforming students, an after-school intervention for students engaged in high-risk behaviors, homework clubs, home visits, and after-school tutoring.

Randy Schrader, Jefferson Middle School principal, said the interventions are working and students are getting better grades. Middle school students, who are failing a class or who don't turn in assignments, are required to stay after school.

"A lot of kids fail because they're not doing their homework," Schrader said. "If they're doing their work, they're going to learn.'

The change has been dramatic. "Teachers went from having 25 or 30 F's to 1 or 2," Schrader said, adding that behavior problems have also decreased.

Melinda Smyser, safe and drug-free schools coordinator, confirmed that student behavior has improved from a year ago and explained that cutting back the number of discipline problems helps all students.

"When a school is safe, of course, you're going to have more learning," Smyser said.

She noted that the district is also working on keeping kids in school. Caldwell applied for and received a grant that allowed it to hire a social worker who even visits students and parents at home. "Part of his job is to focus on getting kids to school," Smyser said. "Students aren't growing academically when they're not here."

Caldwell Administrator Jesus de Leon noted that the district has had to think carefully about where it spends its time and money, preparing to dedicate its available resources wherever they are most needed. He promised that more changes may be in the making.

"As Caldwell has planned for improvement," de Leon said, "there has developed a commitment to do whatever it takes to help students be successful."

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