LIMA — The Lima City Schools’ Closing the Achievement Gap program was recognized in the Ohio School Board Association’s bimonthly OSBA Journal for its success in helping at-risk students graduate.
The CTAG program at Lima began in 2007, with the black male population primarily at risk. At that time, less than 50 percent of black males were graduating. Ever since starting the program, that number has averaged 78 percent and the numbers continue to get better.
“We knew they were coming and planned on doing a story about our program,” said Bryan Miller, head of the CTAG program in Lima. “We had no idea we were going to be the cover story. The way we found out was when the issue arrived and we were on the front.”
Miller said CTAG helps at-risk students in social situations as well as academically.
“We do get some kids with academic issues,” Miller said, “but a lot of the time those issues trace back to social issues. With a lot of these students, the academic issues begin to clear up after we address the social issues.”
Miller said the program has such good impact because they can get students in touch with social services needed to help them succeed. He pointed out mental health, medical needs and employment as just some of these methods.
“We are able to help them connect with these services,” Miller said. “We can do home visits, and we are actively involved with kids on probation or involved in the juvenile court. We are also helping the teachers as well.”
The program began with 35 students and now has about 150. The program was started with a government grant, but the school board decided to continue funding the program on its own after the grant expired because of its success.
“Our approach works much like you would see out of a good coach,” Miller said. “When you have a young person that knows there is someone that genuinely cares, you start to see a difference. They know we care and we are watching, and they try to do the right thing.”
The program works with children in fifth through ninth grade and follows up with them as they advance through high school to make sure they are staying on track. Miller said that fourth-graders will soon be added to CTAG.
Miller said one former CTAG student is now helping another as a junior.
“He is helping and mentoring a freshman student to help him get his grades up because he wants to play football,” Miller said. “Things like that is what makes you show up to work every day.”
Miller said that the program also helps the taxpayer in the long run. He said many people tend to get tied up only in report card scores.
“As a larger district, we face many other issues that some smaller districts do not face,” Miller said. “When programs like this are successful, you begin to see trickle down effects. The juvenile incarceration rates go down. The court system isn’t as bogged down. You see fewer suspensions and expulsions. That saves taxpayers money, and I think it will only continue to get better.”
The OSBA journal story can be found at http://j.mp/1ru1rJ6.
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