South Middle School staff told the Franklin County Board of Education on Monday that incentive programs tied to Exact Path diagnostic assessments and benchmark growth are being used to motivate students, with substantial student participation reported.

Scott Prull, speaking on behalf of South, said the school used Exact Path to identify skill gaps and to provide targeted remediation. Students who scored 80% or higher on assigned tasks earned trophies that were entered into drawings and grade-level competitions. "We have started giving incentives for these kids and they earn a trophy every time they receive an 80% or higher," Prull said.

Prull provided figures for the program's first and second nine-week periods and for benchmark growth: the school recorded 1,050 trophies earned in November and December. For Exact Path math growth, Prull said 6th grade had 86 students (61%) showing growth, 7th grade 94 students (75%), and 8th grade 68 students (83%). For the easy CBM reading benchmark in December, Prull reported 68 students (49%) in 6th grade, 80 students (65%) in 7th grade and 40 students (49%) in 8th grade showed growth.

The school offered a variety of grade-level rewards: popsicles with principals, extended time with a teacher in costume, pajama-and-hat day for the grade with the highest trophies per student, and drawings for prizes valued over $100. Students who showed growth on both Exact Path math and the easy CBM reading benchmark earned additional rewards such as movies and candy.

Prull also noted a behavior-based reward for students who avoided demerits; students with no demerits for the semester will receive a pizza party. Exact Path provided support and funds for incentives, and the school received donated sweatshirts from a community partner for the second nine weeks.

No board action was taken on the report; it was presented as an update during the meeting.