The document summarizes a project to increase engagement for at-risk 8th grade students through home visits and a behavior group. A group of 10 students with low grades and test scores participated in bi-weekly meetings of the "Why Try" behavior group led by two teachers. The group monitored progress, set goals, and participated in community activities. Home visits were also conducted. Data from teacher surveys, student surveys, and report cards showed improvements in engagement, respectfulness, and preparedness over time, though grades did not improve from quarter 1 to 3. Students and families responded positively to the interventions.

1. Impacting Engagement for At Risk 8th
Grade Students Through Home Visits
Project team: Amy Carnie, Alexa Baxter, Adam Schwaninger
Presentation by Adam Schwaninger

2. Project Team
 Amy Carnie – Associate Principal
 Alexa Baxter – 8th Grade Counselor
 Adam Schwaninger – 6th-8th Grade Art Teacher
Baxter Carnie Schwaninger

3. Essential Questions
 What 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?

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

5. Interventions
 Mr.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 community
 Home visits were made with each student to discuss the
student’s behavior and make a collaborative plan.

6. Group Activities
 The group created a video for the Schoo Day of Silence

7. Group Activities
 The group visited the Career Center and celebrated at Cici’s Pizza

8. Group Activities
 DJ the 8th grade block party
 Created positive/motivational spray paint stencils
 Picked up trash/cleaned the building
 Serving dessert at Matt Talbot’s Kitchen (4/29)
 Final celebration at defy gravity (TBD)

9. Data Collection
 Data was collected from 3 sources
 Teacher surveys
 Engagement, Respectfulness, Preparedness
 Math, English, Science
 Student surveys
 Engagement, Respectfulness, Preparedness
 Report Cards
 Students were able to see teacher data reports at the Why Try
meetings

10. Data Collection
 Teacher Survey

11. Data Collection
 Student Survey

12. Data Collection
 Example Student Data Report

13. Results
 Report Card Data
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Student A Student B Student C Student D Student E Student F Student G Student H Student I Student J
Q1 # of D's
Q1 # of F's
Q2 # of D's
Q2 # of F's
Q3 # of D's
Q3 # of F's
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3
# D's
# F's

14. Results
 Teacher Surveys - Engagement
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Student A Student B Student C Student D Student E Student F Student G Student H Student I Student J
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
April
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar April

15. Results
 Teacher Surveys - Respectfulness
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Student A Student B Student C Student D Student E Student F Student G Student H Student I Student J
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
April
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar April

16. Results
 Teacher Surveys - Preparedness
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Student A Student B Student C Student D Student E Student F Student G Student H Student I Student J
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
April
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar April

17. Results
 Student Surveys
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Student
A
Student BStudent C Student
D
Student
E
Student
F
Student
G
Student
H
Student I Student J
Engagement 1
Respec ulness 1
Preparedness 1
Engagement 2
Respec ulness 2
Preparedness 2
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
5
Egagment Respec ulness Preparedness
Survey 1
Survey 2

18. Conclusions
 Behaviorally, students showed improvements in all areas
 Engagement, Respectfulness and Preparedness
 Academically, Students had more D’s and F’s in quarter 3 than
quarter 1.
 Student grades DID improve greatly from quarter 2 to quarter 3
 Students enjoyed the Why Try group, and ask about meeting
frequently
 Home visits were received well be students and families
 Data improved right before and after home visits.
 Conversations with families were invaluable