A revolutionary solution for N.J. schools

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) was created by the federal government to hold schools accountable for their academic results and for the performance of students. Each year, a report card is issued for each U.S. school district based upon academic and social criteria including test scores, graduation rates, attendance rates, college acceptance, post high school intentions, substance abuse incidents, vandalism, violence and others. All school districts share the same grading scale. Those schools that don’t measure up are placed on a publicized list that deems them “in need of improvement.” News sources say that currently one in five New Jersey schools are on the list. Some argue that urban districts should not share the same grading criteria as suburban districts do. Others say that despite progress in key areas, a lack of progress in other areas may still land them on “the list.” Depending on your opinion of the NCLB act, one thing is clear — a modern and practical solution needs to be implemented to save many New Jersey schools and to better prepare our students.

No matter what your position is, one thing is certain. Students have changed over time. It has become crystal clear to experts and researchers alike that we need to adapt to our students if we are to succeed; meaning that students need a more relevant and engaging approach. Governments and school leaders need to be focused on finding proven ways to help a new generation of students to succeed in today’s competitive and complex society. There’s no question that a great deal is at stake for New Jersey students, schools, families, and communities.

The solution is to empower students to succeed both in and outside of school. It’s Student Leadership Development. Although leadership is not traditionally taught in the classroom, progressive schools are seeing positive results of teaching success. When students make the connection between their unique personal ambitions, and how today’s decisions affect their own success, you see attitudes and behaviors change. You see their eyes light up like never before. Leadership development enables students to develop positive character, not by just by hearing about character, but by applying character to their lives. This is the exact reason why character education initiatives were established in the first place, to help students tap into their vast potential.

What kind of positive results does student leadership development influence? The very same results that school districts are graded on by NCLB; test scores, graduation rates, attendance rates, college acceptance, and lower incidents of risk behavior. By teaching students how to become leaders, schools will achieve the annual progress they need to survive and thrive. What’s more important is that schools can use this tool now to adequately prepare their students with the attitudes skills and knowledge they need to succeed.

Thanks to great advances in research and educational science over the decades, we now have excellent leadership educational processes that can be easily implemented into the existing school structure. One leadership development process called America’s Rising Stars is comprehensive, cohesive and is completely turnkey. It includes teacher lesson plans, scripts, student curriculum, student action plans, assignments and engaging exercises. Teachers don’t just talk about character; it is instilled through the progressive efforts of the students themselves.

This has been a breath of fresh air for both teachers and students alike because it’s fun, engaging, and result driven. Student motivation is “built-in” because the subject is them. The classes act as a catalyst for positive thinking and behavior, which spills over into other subject areas while helping to improve the culture of the school. Relevant connections are made between the students’ own efforts and their success. This changes the focus from what they can’t do, to what they can do.

The bottom line is that there are many progressive educators today who are looking for proven ways to engage a unique generation of students. Those who intend to find new and better ways will discover that implementing a leadership development process in their school will help them to accomplish their vital mission.

Keven Decker

founder

Success for ALL Students