Oak Hill Middle School reports measurable gains after two years of BARR program; absenteeism and climate remain concerns

Jen Waterman, school counselor and school‑wide BARR coordinator at Oak Hill Middle School, told the RSU 4 Board the school saw notable improvements in student "habits of work" after two years of implementing BARR, although chronic absenteeism and several climate measures still need attention.

"Going slow to go fast," Waterman said, summarizing the school's phased approach when it began BARR in late 2023. She presented data showing the percentage of students rated at the lowest level in the district's five habits-of-work indicators by grade in October 2024 — 23% of fifth grade, 30% of sixth grade, 51% of seventh grade and 21% of eighth grade — and said those figures improved by May 2025. Waterman described the range of improvement for the school as "27 to 31%" across grades.

Waterman told the board that the middle school uses a habits-of-work rubric rather than standard grades to measure academic readiness and eligibility for extracurricular participation. She also described a multi-pronged approach of regular meetings with coaches, content leaders and the BARR coach, plus staff professional development and targeted interventions.

Survey results presented to the board showed strengths in student perceptions of supportive relationships and teacher expectations, but weaker results for school climate and student self‑efficacy. "Students at this school get along well with each other," Waterman said, noting that only about 52% of respondents agreed with a positive statement about peer relations. She said the climate measures and lower self‑efficacy scores are areas where the school plans to focus energy and programming.

Waterman also highlighted chronic absenteeism as a continuing issue. She said BARR's benchmark is fewer than 15 days missed per year, and that the school monitors all excused and unexcused absences. Board members asked for a future breakdown of excused versus unexcused absences and for the summer-program impact on fall data; Waterman said she would provide more detailed numbers at a later meeting when final testing reports are available.

The presentation included teacher survey results indicating some staff teams feel more effective and that participation in BARR has increased job satisfaction for some. Waterman asked the board to consider sustaining the program after the current Department of Education funding ends; she said BARR provides external evaluation, coaching and periodic visits that help preserve program fidelity.

Ending: Waterman said the district will compare spring and fall assessment data this year, track students who attended the elementary summer program and report fall data after the testing window closes on Oct. 24.