Sumter BOE needs to embrace STAR Program



Imagine how much more teaching and learning could be accomplished in the classrooms of the Sumter County School System is there were no disruptive students keeping the ones who want to learn from getting an education.

This is not a pipe dream.

The Crisp County School System has hit upon a great success story with its STAR Program. Through the program, many troubled children have been reformed and learned how to behave in the classroom. Many have even exceeded expectations in school and increased their chances of reaching their maximal potential.

The Student Transition and Recovery Program (STAR) at Crisp County Middle School is doing wonders for the learning environment. The STAR Program is used by the school and juvenile judges as an alternative to detention, suspension, expulsion and other less effective disciplinary tools for children who misbehave. Students placed in the STAR Program attend their normal classes at the school and return home each evening. In the morning before school and in the afternoon after school, students participate in exercises, counseling, tutoring and military-style drills. The STAR program is for both males and females and its target age range is from nine to 15.

Four days a week, the program begins at 5:30 a.m. with physical training.

At 7 a.m. the students shower and have breakfast, and report to school for classes. At 3:30 p.m., the students return to the STAR facility (located in the rear building at Crisp County Middle School) to do their homework and to have their conduct reports checked. Study hall also begins at 3:30. During this time, STAR students complete all of their homework assignments and receive counseling. At 6 p.m., STAR students are usually picked up by their parents, unless they aren't finished with their homework. If a child isn't finished with his/her homework, that child will remain at the school until it is complete.

At 7 p.m. STAR instructors telephone parents' homes to check in on the students. At 9 p.m., the children must report to their rooms. Lights out for the children is at 10 p.m. If, however, a child becomes defiant toward his/her parent, the parent can call a STAR instructor. The instructor will talk to the child on the phone. If this does not work, then the instructor will drive to the child's home and confront the student. Discipline is essential in the STAR program and respect for the parent(s) is crucial.

On Thursdays, the STAR students will do an all-day workout (5:30 a.m.-1 p.m.) with STAR instructors. On Saturdays from 8 a.m.-noon, the STAR program has "Life Skills" and the STAR students also perform community services. Students will go to school and learn about the dangers of drugs, alcohol and tobacco usage. The students have to take mandatory drug tests. They will also learn about anger management, self-esteem and self-image.

There are several specific goals and objectives of the STAR Program: to improve the student's GPA by one letter grade. According to Sr. Capt. Vincent F. Cooper Sr., District coordinator of the STAR Program, the average grade of Crisp County Middle School's STAR students prior to being enrolled in the program was on average about a 62. After participating in STAR, those averages increased to approximately a 78. Some students in the program went from "Fs" to straight "As."

Other goals and objectives of the STAR program are to improve the students' attendance by 40 percent, reduce the incidence of parent-child conflict, improve the parents' capability to fill their role, decrease the incidence of juvenile crime in the community and decrease tardiness, absenteeism and expulsions. The STAR program at Crisp County Middle School has accomplished these objectives. Disciplinary referrals with most of the STAR students have been reduced over 90 percent. ISS has been reduced over 80 percent.

The program can prevent kids from joining gangs and doing other things that could get them in trouble. The physical training, counseling and Life Skills programs help to increase self-esteem with the weight loss and support of a caring staff.

One of the most important things the students learn in the program is that "failure is not an option." In order to be successful in life, students must put forth their best effort and not give up in anything.

The simple fact remains: the STAR program is a success in Crisp County.

With reports almost weekly on fights, drugs, tardiness and other misbehaviors in the Sumter Schools reported to the authorities, we believe STAR is very much needed here in Sumter County.

What do we have to lose? Perhaps the next generation of people who will be controlling our society in a few years.

If we invest now in their future, we give them hope and valuable life skills, along with an education.

If we don't, we will later pay the price when we support these problem students in the Youth Development Campuses and later, in jails.

If Crisp County can make it work, Sumter County can, too.

We urge our Board of Education to take a serious look at the learning environment in our schools, and make the right choice for STAR.

Every child should be given the opportunity to shine.