Rolla Junior High presents improvement plan emphasizing reading interventions, Bulldog 180 behavior program and increased extracurriculars

Rolla Junior High staff presented their 2024'25 school improvement plan to the board, highlighting steady academic goals, targeted instructional changes, new engagement programs and a multi‑tiered behavior intervention called Bulldog 180.

Why it matters: The building's plan outlines classroom and student supports intended to boost reading and math performance, reduce disciplinary removals, and increase student engagement and attendance.

Key points from the presentation

- Academic goals and assessment timing: Presenters said building goals remained unchanged from the prior year. Staff reported they will move STAR/STAAR assessment timing to earlier in the testing window (early April) to avoid conflicts with MAP testing and to give teachers clearer midyear data for instruction.

- Reading initiative "Walk and Read": A new voluntary program invites about 15'20 students each Monday to walk while reading during a dedicated time as a strategy to increase engagement; staff said they will collect data on its effects.

- Academic seminar/tiered intervention impact: Staff reported local intervention efforts reduced the proportion of students with at least one F at the end of quarter 1 from 9.5% (when intervention began in October last year) to 5.9% this year after beginning interventions in August.

- Bulldog 180 behavior/intervention program: The flexible Bulldog 180 model uses referrals, attendance, GPA and an at‑risk score to place students into a program focused on conflict resolution, resiliency and goal setting. Staff presented comparative data: by Dec. 1 the prior year there were 73 students accounting for 133 ISS/OSS events; this year the reported total was 36 students with 59 events. Presenters said Bulldog 180 is not a single answer but one component of an overall strategy.

- Attendance and climate efforts: The school reported a modest upward trend in proportionate attendance and said it runs attendance reporting every 1'2 weeks, holds check‑in meetings with a community liaison and uses ParentSquare and phone outreach. Climate and culture efforts include advisory meetings, additional clubs (7'8 new clubs; a fishing club grew to 25 students) and the Bulldog Buck Cabinet incentive program.

- Health and safety: Staff praised a newly formed cardiac response team and credited staff (named in presentation) for leading CPR training and certification.

What the board asked and next steps

Board members asked about tracking students who show sudden grade declines (not only Fs); presenters described weekly teacher reporting and an academic seminar spreadsheet used to flag concerns and coordinate interventions. Staff said they will continue to monitor the pilot Walk and Read program, track Bulldog 180 outcomes, and reassess staffing and program needs ahead of second semester.

No formal board action was required on the presentation itself; board members thanked staff for the report.