May 2008
JBHM Supported Schools Yield Gains in Louisiana Paired Schools Initiative
In 2007, JBHM Education Group contracted with the Louisiana Department of Education to provide external support and assistance in the statewide Paired Schools Initiative. Superintendent Paul Pastorek charged Ed Group with overseeing the project for the 4th and 8th grade schools.
Each identified school received nine days of on-site professional development. JBHM Ed Group’s School Performance Rubric and the Essential Practices Survey were used as the basis for the activities during these visits. JBHM School Performance Specialists performed activities which research has identified as positively impacting student achievement.
At the conclusion of each visit, a detailed Work Report Summary was completed by the School Performance Specialist. The work report summarized the work of the consultant and documented actions needed for improving best practices by administrators and teachers. The Work Report Summaries were distributed electronically to the DOE personnel and the local school Superintendent.
The table below shows the progress made by the schools in the high stakes subject areas from the 2007 to 2008 school year.
Grade |
Achievement Level |
English Language Arts |
Mathematics |
2007 |
2008 |
2007 |
2008 |
4 |
Basic & above |
42 |
47 |
30 |
39 |
Below Basic |
58 |
53 |
70 |
61 |
8 |
Basic & above |
34 |
34 |
30 |
35 |
Below Basic |
66 |
66 |
70 |
65 |
March 2008
Allendale-Fairfax puts emphasis on Level of Difficulty
by Gerald Moore
A major emphasis of the Palmetto Priority Schools work at Allendale-Fairfax Middle School has been on teaching to the standards. The school's efforts are based on materials developed by the JBHM Education Group from Jackson, Mississippi. JBHM has developed a very extensive school improvement program learned from their successes in many other states. One of the key components of the JBHM program is that teachers should be teaching to the appropriate level of difficulty. Dr. Patricia Bridges, director of Standards-Based Instruction for JBHM states, "Teachers are teaching at the standards, but not to the standards." Getting teachers to teach at the proper level is easier said than done.
In addition to teaching to the appropriate level of difficulty, teachers must then assess students at the same level as the standards according to the Cognitive Process Dimension (also known as the new Bloom's Taxonomy). Too often, teachers are overly reliant on textbook or purchased tests that may be "aligned" to the standards and may or may not accurately assess at the proper level.
With the help of Bridges and the outstanding inservices presented on this topic at the Palmetto Priority Schools Collaboration meetings, Allendale-Fairfax Middle School is placing a great deal of emphasis on teaching and assessing at the appropriate level of difficulty trying to match the level of the standard. Under the leadership of Isaac Lee, principal; Althea Carter, instructional facilitator; and Gerald Moore, Palmetto Priority Schools and JBHM liaison, a program consisting of inservices, observations, and evaluation of assessments has been put in place. Bridges began the effort with an inservice on how to teach to the appropriate level of the standards by working backwards with a sample question. Teachers were given an easy-to-use method to insure that they were teaching to the appropriate level of difficulty. Moore then took the inservices provided at the collaboration meetings and developed them into staff development sessions for the teachers. These included training on how to "assess assessments," how to use the Cognitive Process Dimension, and how to write test questions at the appropriate level of the standard.
In addition to the staff developments, a question template was developed and distributed to the teachers. The appropriate Cognitive Process Dimension level for each standard, grades 6-8 in English, math, science, and social studies, was defined and placed on a website for teacher use. A manual was written to show teachers how to develop higher-order questions using common testing structures.
An observation effort was also put in place. Teachers are asked to submit their assessments for review. Each question is reviewed and the test is evaluated on how well it assessed the standards. Feedback is provided to the teacher. An event-based observation instrument developed by Dr. Lorin Anderson has been adapted and is being used to see if teachers are teaching to the appropriate level. Conferences are conducted with the teachers based on the observations. This instrument has been integrated with the instruments provided by JBHM for instructional walk-throughs and teacher observations.
The effort is in its infancy and components are being constantly added and adjusted. It has been a collaborative effort between the school, the Palmetto Priority Schools Program, and JBHM Education Group. Teachers must teach and assess at the appropriate level of difficulty or their students will be unprepared for the level of questions on the PACT.
Gerald Moore is a retired principal who is now working for the South Carolina State Board and legislature.
February 2008
JBHM Education Group recognized for work in The Philadelphia Neshoba Democrat
Click here for story, "'Master teachers' recognized at NC"
CARES School Revamps Library courtesy of JBHM Education Group
On Saturday, Feb. 16, volunteers from JBHM Education Group conducted a much-needed renovation of the library of the Mississippi Children’s Home Services’ CARES School. Volunteers spent the day painting the library, building bookshelves and cataloguing approximate 1,000 books donated by JBHM Education Group. In addition, the company donated a space-themed mobile mural for the walls of the library.
The CARES School provides special education, regular education and related services to more than 100 children and youth with serious emotional disturbances in grades first through twelfth from the local community and throughout the state.
Established in 1912, Mississippi Children's Home Services served over 10,000 individuals statewide in 2007 alone. Through its affiliates, Mississippi Children's Home Society and CARES Center, Inc., the agency offers an array of programs including adoption; psychiatric residential treatment; group homes; therapeutic foster care; children's shelters; special education; home-based services; family preservation services; and peer prevention education. Call Kelly Shannon at 601-709-1251 or visit us online at www.mchscares.org to see how you can change the lives of Mississippi’s most vulnerable children.
January 2008
Pictured left to right - Amanda Wells, Abby Munton, Selena Young, Sandra Funchess, Pat Whitlock, Donna Clincy, Sam Beibers, Shelley Powers, Laurie Heiden, Director of CARES Day School, and Katrina Hicks
JBHM Ed Group donates books to Mississippi Children’s Home Services CARES School
On December 21, representatives from JBHM Education Group attended the Mississippi Children’s Home Services CARES School Christmas program to announce that the company collected nearly 800 books to donate to the school’s library as their Christmas project. This news was met with a roar of applause from students and staff of the school.
The CARES School, an outreach program of the Mississippi Children’s Home Services, is an accredited, non-public special education program providing educational and psycho-social services to children struggling in their home and school environments throughout Mississippi.
"Mississippi Children's Home Services is so grateful that JBHM Education Group spread the spirit of Christmas with our staff and children through this project," said Kelly Shannon, Development Coordinator with Mississippi Children's Home Services. "Over 100 Mississippi children with special education needs will reap the educational benefits from the group's generous donation of over 700 books. For this act of kindness, we are thankful."
December 2007
Mississippi High School Activities Association partners with
JBHM Education Group to improve ACT Scores
JBHM Education Group, LLC and the Mississippi High School Activities Association recently partnered in an effort to increase the ACT scores of students participating in MHSAA activities.
“The two priorities for MHSAA for this year were to improve sportsmanship and to improve student performance on the ACT,” said Phyfa Eiland, MHSAA Director of Development. “We were concerned that many of the students in Mississippi simply go in and take the ACT without being properly prepared.”
MHSAA adopted JBHM Education Group’s ACT Up curriculum, a new strategic preparation tool that not only provides for student success but supports teachers as well. ACT Up’s strategic preparation works hand-in-hand with job-embedded teacher training. Through this process, teachers learn to better direct students on score improvement through strategies and skill development exercises.
“JBHM, through its ACT Up curriculum, has developed a curriculum that prepares students for the academic portion of the test, but it also improves their test-taking skills,” said Eiland. “The MHSAA Executive Committee endorsed the ACT Up curriculum, and the Association has encouraged schools to incorporate this curriculum in its Learning Strategies classes and other classes to use this structured approach toward preparing students for the ACT.”
In return, JBHM Education Group became a sponsor of the association and its activities. “We are thrilled to have ACT Up endorsed by such an outstanding organization, “said Mike Walters, JBHM Education Group president. “We feel that together we have a huge opportunity to greatly impact the lives of many students.”
“We sincerely appreciate JBHM Education Group’s partnership with MHSAA in addressing the problem of low ACT scores,” said Ennis Proctor, Executive Director of MHSAA. “Too many of our Mississippi students score poorly on the ACT, and we all need to work together to provide the support system they need to reach their full potential academically. Dr. Mike Walters and his company are student focused, and we appreciate the continued support of our high school students.”
October 2007
Pictured front row, from left, are Jasmine Kelley, Orian Johnson, Trinity Moss, Janissa Price, Reagan Douglass, TyDrekius Carpenter, McKenzie Rose, Jessica Suarez, andFrancesca Strickland. Second row, from left, are Jamie Allen, Art Teacher; Jamie Wilkerson, Erika Moss, Angie Douglass, Mandy Rose, Dwayne Rose, Cindy James, and Senita Bounds. Third row, from left, are Angie Ledbetter, Assistant Principal; Linda Coleman, JBHM Consultant; Sam Beibers, JBHM Creative Director; John Douglass; Dr. Suzanne Hawley, Superintendent; James Bounds, Principal; and Kristle Channell, JBHM Client Services Coordinator.
Quitman Lower Elementary Student Artwork Receives Recognition
QUITMAN, MISS - On Thursday, Oct. 25, representatives from JBHM Education Group joined students, parents, and administrators from Quitman Lower Elementary School to recognize the winners of the Ed Group’s Christmas Card Contest.
“This Christmas card contest was truly a joyful experience for all, from reviewing the entries to the presentation of the awards,” said Sam Beibers, JBHM creative director. “The moment we walked into the school we were greeted by friendly people and walls covered in creative expressions and projects of the children.”
Students in Jamie Allen’s kindergarten, first, and second grade art classes submitted their original holiday artwork, vying for the opportunity to have their art grace the cover of the company’s 2007 Christmas card. First grader TyDrekius Carpenter, who won first place overall, was awarded a $100 and will have his artwork featured on the Ed Group's holiday cards.
Other winners included kindergartener McKenzie Rose (second place overall), second grader Jessica Suarez (third place overall), second graders Orian Johnson and Francesca Strickland, first graders Jasmine Kelley and Reagan Douglass, and kindergarteners Janissa Price and Trinity Moss.
“Having JBHM ask us to design their Christmas card this year was such an honor,” said Allen. “The students really enjoyed creating them, and I loved facilitating the project. I feel so privileged to be teaching at a school that is filled with so many enthusiastic and gifted young students.”
Joined by Quitman Superintendent Suzanne Hawley and Quitman Lower Elementary Principal James Bounds, Beibers presented the winners with cash prizes and certificates.
“The ability to explore creative expression is such a wonderful opportunity,” said Bounds. “It was both an honor and a privilege for us to be allowed by JBHM the opportunity to extend to our students at Quitman Lower Elementary the experience and the thrill of competition.”
In addition to Carpenter’s art being featured on JBHM’s Christmas card, Quitman Lower Elementary will have a combo pack of all of the students’ artwork for purchase this Christmas season. For information on purchasing a pack of the Christmas cards, contact the school at 601-776-6156.
“We appreciate the opportunity afforded Quitman Lower Elementary by JBHM,” said Hawley. “Our students were enthusiastic in their response to creating the cards. All of our children benefit from integration of the arts into the curriculum and this was a great way for them to express that joy on paper.”
Keesley joins JBHM Education Group
JBHM Education Group, LLC announces the addition of Sharon Keesley as South Carolina State Director.
Keesley’s position will consist of coordinating special projects, marketing, and support to all of the company’s South Carolina clients.
Keesley received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Lander College and went on to complete her master’s degree at Clemson University and her doctorate in educational administration from Nova University.
Most recently, Keesley served as Superintendent of the Edgefield County School District.
“I am thrilled to be heading up the JBHM initiative in South Carolina,” said Keesley. “Because of the rigor of our standards, we have many districts that can benefit from best practices in professional development and the structured school improvement efforts.”
September 2007
JBHM Education Group Visits
Mississippi Children’s Home Services’ CARES School
Pictured from left to right are Donna Clincy, Dr. Evelyn Webb, Abby Munton, Dr. Tricia Bridges, Director of Education of CARES School Laurie Heiden, Principal of CARES School Melanie Thornton, Selena Young, Kristle Channell, John Patrick, and CARES School elementary teacher Gloria Simmons.
Representatives from JBHM Education Group visited Mississippi Children’s Home Services today to tour the facilities and donate instructional materials to CARES School.
Materials donated include 5th, 6th and 7th grade Math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra, English II, 7th and 8th grade Reading, and ACT UP. Ed Group consultants will also donate their time to provide teachers at CARES with 15 to 20 days of on-site coaching and support this year.
“CARES School provides a valuable service to the community,” said Paula Tharp, Vice President of JBHM Education Group. “We are impressed with the school and the staff and want to do our part to support them in their mission to serve children”.
Mississippi Children's Home Services, through its affiliates, Mississippi Children's Home Society and CARES Center, Inc., offers an array of programs and services. The CARES School is one program within Mississippi Children's Home Services that offers educational opportunities to over 100 students from first through 12th grade who are struggling in their home or school environments.
CARES School is an accredited, non-public special education program that provides kids who often display either emotional and/or behavioral difficulties in school a chance to gain an education. Students are taught social, life, career and leisure skills as well so that they can make a successful return to a public or private school setting. CARES School also provides intense, structured services in a smaller classroom setting. The School is fully equipped with a computer lab, library and the kids change classes like kids in a typical school setting.
"We are so blessed that the JBHM Education Group is lending a helping hand to our students and staff," said Laurie Heiden, Director of Education for CARES School. "The educational tools that they will share with CARES School will benefit the overall well-being of our students and for that, we are so grateful. The generosity displayed by JBHM is one reason Mississippi Children's Home Services is so thankful for community partnerships."
Founded in April 2000, JBHM Education Group provides educational management consulting to over 200 schools in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. The leadership and staff have been involved in school district evaluation and planning for more than a decade. JBHM Education Group’s mission is to enhance a school community’s capacity in preparing children for success, and its success is illustrated through higher statewide accountability test scores.
For more information on the CARES School, visit www.mchscares.org.
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