Guest column Benchmark madness

A standardized test can reinforce school culture

— The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines madness as, “the quality or state of being mad” or “insanity.” To most people a 24-hour school day with over 200 fifth- through eighth-graders would certainly constitute insanity, but this is exactly what students and teachers at KIPP Delta College Preparatory School did from 7:30am on a Friday morning to 7:30am on a Saturday morning earlier this month. KIPP appropriately dubbed the day “Benchmark Madness.”

The Benchmark is Arkansas’ standardized test for students in grades three through eight. A few years ago KIPP Delta’s executive director noticed how excited people got about basketball during March Madness. He wondered what it would be like to get as excited about academics. Thus “Benchmark Madness” was born.

But why a 24-hour school day? In a word, culture. The mission of KIPP Delta is to get students to and through college. Building a college-going culture that is focused on academic success takes considerable determination and strategic planning. Students are immersed in the culture the moment they enter the doors. The first day of the three-week, mandatory summer school kindergartners were greeted with signs that said, “Welcome Class of 2027.” In every class teachers display pennants from the colleges they attended. This commitment to the college-going culture continues through 12th grade, as seniors display their college acceptance letters in the gymnasium. Without a doubt each student at KIPP Delta could tell you the year they will graduate and go to college. “Benchmark Madness” helps reinforce this school culture. Throughout the night students participated in salsa dancing, ice cream making, and various other fun learning activities. The entire evening demonstrated that learning can and should be fun.

A 24-hour school day may seem out of the ordinary for most schools, but it seems an obvious fit at KIPP Delta. After all, this is a school that has a longer school day, longer school year and class on two Saturdays a month-and provides students with teachers’ cell phone numbers for homework assistance.

While many educators bemoan standardized exams, KIPP Delta utilizes them. Like all schools, standardized assessments allow KIPP Delta to track their progress increasing student achievement. This, however, is not the only benefit of the standardized test. At KIPP Delta the Benchmark is a common enemy. It allows students and teachers to rally together to overcome an obstacle.

Each year KIPP Delta has a contest to see who can write this year’s Benchmark song. This year’s song written by Ebony Ivory, class of 2015, exemplifies exactly what I’m talking about:

“KIPPsters Never Say Never” (set to the tune of Justin Bieber’s “Never Say Never”).

See I never thought that I could go to college.

I never thought that I had what it takes.

I never had the strength to beat that Benchmark.

Until I reached the point that I worked hard.

And I know this for a fact.

That KIPP has got my back.

Gonna give everything I have

Just you wait and see.

KIPPsters never say never

We’ll keep learning forever.

Even when I’m feeling down

KIPP always turns me around

They pick me up.

KIPPsters never says never.

At KIPP students and teachers work together. The Benchmark is just one barrier they must “beat” as they “climb the mountain to college.”

As most KIPP Delta teachers and leaders would be quick to point out, they are not perfect. Building culture and preparing students for college is extremely difficult work. Yet, KIPP Delta’s results are impressive. Last year KIPP Delta’s average student achievement on state exams was above the state average and they were among the best in the state in valueadded or individual student growth. Roughly 97 percent of KIPP Delta’s students are minorities and 86 percent of students are eligible for free or reduced price lunches. In other words, KIPP is making tremendous learning gains with some of the most disadvantaged kids in the state.

Like Rome, KIPP Delta’s culture wasn’t built in a day (not even a 24-hour school day). As KIPP Delta College Preparatory School leader, Jemar Tisby notes, “You build culture through establishing really clear expectations, and then you have to constantly reinforce those expectations. You tell students exactly what you want to see. Then you rehearse and rehearse-with feedback-until it becomes habit. There is no magic to building culture; it’s just hard work.” Hard work is something KIPPsters are used to; after all, KIPP’s motto is “Work Hard, Be Nice.”

James Shuls is a doctoral academy fellow in the Department of Education Reform at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville and a former public school teacher. He can be reached at jshuls@uark.edu

Perspective, Pages 80 on 03/20/2011

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