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Jenison board agrees to participate in three‑year Unified Champion Schools evaluation
Summary
The board authorized Jenison Public Schools to take part in a three‑year study of the Unified Champion Schools program conducted by Special Olympics North America, the University of Minnesota, and Special Olympics Michigan; participation carries no district cost and was approved 7‑0.
The Jenison Public Schools Board of Education voted 7‑0 on Sept. 8 to let the district participate in a three‑year longitudinal evaluation of the Unified Champion Schools (UCS) program conducted by Special Olympics North America, the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration, and Special Olympics Michigan.
District staff described the study’s scope: researcher surveys and interviews of participating students and comparison groups twice annually, follow‑up with graduates to measure long‑term outcomes, and modest participation incentives (students receive a $25 gift card per completed survey or interview; school liaisons receive $250 annually). Staff said there is no cost to the district for participating and that permission forms will be distributed as soon as board approval is granted. The first round of data collection is expected in October or November.
Superintendent Brandon Graham said the district will provide dates for Unified Sports events and coordinate permission forms with school liaisons. The board recorded unanimous approval.
Next steps: Staff will distribute permission forms and confirm the timeline for the first round of data collection in the fall.
