Reform efforts getting results at Faine Elementary School

Kristin Freeman’s second-grade students pay close attention as she explains some grammar concepts using a writeboard and an LCD projector.

When Freeman asks her students a question about the lesson, they all reach for their student response systems to give an answer.

The handheld devices allow all students to answer an instructor’s question and also let the teacher monitor how well her class as a whole and individual students are grasping the lesson.

Freeman said the devices help keep her students focused and engaged and also allow her to better target her efforts to help students who are struggling.

“It helps keep their attention,” she said. “I’ve found that my behavior problems and special needs learners really benefit from this.”

The handheld devices are just part of a series of reforms that are helping Faine Elementary School dramatically improve its test scores and disprove assumptions that low-income students can’t achieve academically.

Faine has seen a dramatic increase in Alabama Reading and Math Test scores. For example, in the space of a single year, Faine has gone from having just 46 percent of its third graders score at or above the proficiency level on the math test to having 92 percent make the mark this year. Similar success has been seen at the fourth grade level, where 45 percent of fourth graders scored at or above the proficiency level last year, compared to 95 percent this year.

“That’s an astronomical gain,” assistant principal Amy Faulk said.

Faulk said the secret of Faine’s newfound success has been extra support provided by a grant program by the city schools and the Wiregrass Foundation, community support and the hard work of the school’s teaching staff.

The FACES program is providing about $2.25 million to Faine and Grandview Elementary School over three years. The money helps provide equipment like the student response systems, and afterschool arts programs, extra tutors and other personnel and support programs for students.

Ann Reaves, grandparent of a Faine student, said the program has been successful in getting Faine parents more involved in their children’s education. As a result, the students’ performance has improved.

“Once a child knows you’re concered about him, he will put forth a better effort,” she said.

While success has been made at Faine, the school still needs to make progress in some areas. The school’s test scores on the Alabama Direct Assessment of Writing remain low.

Faulk said she’s confident Faine’s teachers can bridge the gap if the support they’ve received is continued.