Students At Floyd Don't Sleep in on Saturdays

Amidst the sometimes contentious debate on education, Floyd Middle School in Mableton has something to celebrate.  Just three years ago the school was on the list of failing schools, unable to show a majority of students with scores indicating Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).  This metric is used by the Department of Education to evaluate the progress of Title I schools.
But now, thanks to three years of steady improvement, Floyd has met AYP standards and been recognized as a Title I Distinguished School. 

Title I programs seek to provide equal opportunities for a solid education among all children regardless of family economic status.  Schools with a higher number of low-income students receive funding for programs aimed at ensuring students are meeting minimum basic skills standards. 

Floyd Middle Assistant Principal Susan Turner belives that extra measures like the Title I-funded Saturday School program has helped the school reach its goals.

"We kind of had to go that extra mile.  We have after school tutoring on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Saturday School," she said.

Saturday School is a tutoring program on Saturday mornings from 8 a.m to 12 p.m. at Floyd.  Kids recieve extra help in organized small group classes focused on reading, math, and test taking skills. 

"The program reinforces overall learning of concepts taught Monday through Friday," said Principal Theresa Hargrett. 

All students are asked to participate in the program which has been operating for six years. Test scores have indicated progress three consecutive years in a row and according to Turner, the number of students participating has increased by approximately 125 to 150 students. 

Floyd faculty conducts the tutoring.  The program is funded solely by Title I Funds including compensation for the teachers and staff. Teaching in the Saturday School program is not mandatory for Floyd faculty. 

The administration of Floyd takes extra measures to ensure that the parents of the students who need the program the most are made aware of it. 

“We make phone calls and send home letters to particular students,” said Hargrett.

The program has about five to six teachers per grade level with 10 to 15 students per class offering a combination of  computer-based and standard instruction. Students are expected to attend all seven sessions and abide by the same rules such as dress code and punctuality as during the school week. 

Jennifer Ventura, an 8th grader sat in the front of the Language Arts class dutifully taking notes.  “It gives me help with CRCT.  It’s easier for someone to show you,” she said. 

Chalon Phillips, an 8th grade honor student, agrees.  "It definitely helps me with my classes."

Participation in the program is completely voluntary, but for students willing to participate the program is designed to meet them halfway.  Transportation is provided home from Saturday School. However, there is a commitment on the part of the parents as well to drop the students off there on Saturday mornings.

The comittment of the faculty and students is something Turner is very proud of.  “We have kids that will walk to get here,”  she said.   "Once a couple of kids even took a taxi."

The program also gets some new faculty members from year to year.  When the tutoring programs were implemented there was a marked improvement in both test scores and grades. 

 “I think the kids appreciate it.  I know the parents do, too,”  said Turner. 

Updated on Feb. 12 at 2:14 p.m.: Hargrett said in an e-mail that letters were sent to all students and phone calls were made to particular students. Also, transportation is provided from Saturday School, not to the school on Saturdays.