Charlo debates focus groups versus study hall
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CHARLO – Administrators for Charlo Schools say implementing daily short, directed bouts of learning called focus groups is showing more substantial results than giving students a traditional study hall class period.
The focus groups put students who are failing classes or test poorly in certain subjects in a classroom for 20-30 minutes of extra instruction each day, specifically targeted to that problem area.
“We’re trying to get the kids who are failing extra time,” Principal Steve Love said.
After the implementation of the program, the school’s test scores improved dramatically, Love said. For students who perform well, the class time can be used for subjects that the student might otherwise not encounter, or for preparation for college readiness exams.
“Kids don’t always like it, because kids want to pick their own courses,” Love said. “We might send you somewhere to expose you to something you haven’t ever taken in your classes.”
Love gave an example of a student who adamantly believes he won’t need technological training post-graduation.
“He’s pulling C’s and D’s,” Love said. “He comes to school every single day. He’s never taken any computer classes. He doesn’t want anything to do with it. (He says) ‘My grandpa didn’t need it, my dad didn’t need it. I’m a rancher.’”
Love wants the student to be trained in computer anyway.
“If you are going to make a living, in my opinion you are going to have to learn how to run that stinking computer,” Love said. “I totally believe your dad doesn’t know how to run the computer, but your dad isn’t going to be running the ranch in 20 years. We have to expose them to that. You don’t get credit for it. You don’t have a grade. Take it or leave it, and get out of it what you can.”
Love said the exposure might prepare students beyond what their young minds envision as a future.
“They are teenagers,” Love said. “If you gave this kid a chance to pick where he wants to go, I know where he is going to be, but I wasn’t ever going to be a principal either.”
The results are also paying off in college readiness testing, Love and Superintendent Thom Peck said.
“Last year was the best ACT scores we ever had,” Love said. “I don’t know if that’s from focus, but in the next couple of years we’ll find out.”
Board member Tonya Truman said the program has benefited her son.
“He really likes it,” Truman said. “It has helped him … It has been the best thing for him. They are small classes. They get more one on one help, and they don’t feel like ‘I’m the dumb one in the class, I’m not going to ask a question.’ I did that when I was in school.”
Board member LaDonna Fryberger wasn’t sold on the program, and referenced her granddaughter.
“From my perspective, she’s learning how to do this and she doesn’t necessarily need to, as far as grandma is concerned,” Fryberger said. “She needs more reading … but I know it is part of her growing up and exploring new things.”
Fryberger asked if another study hall class might be a better alternative.
Love said that wouldn’t bode well.
“Study hall is a waste of time,” Love said.
Truman agreed.
“They sit in there, talk and goof off,” Truman said.
