3rd year for program to improve school climate, student performance in Youngstown

YOUNGSTOWN

The upcoming school year marks the third for an education group working to strengthen relationships between students and school personnel in the city district.

The Quaglia Institute for Student Aspirations, based in Maine, began working in the city schools in fall 2012, aimed at improving school climate and ultimately student performance by giving students a voice in their schools.

It’s a three-year program.

“It’s a very important year,” said Douglas Hiscox, YCS’s deputy superintendent for academic affairs. “It’s a culminating year. All but the high schools are in the third year.”

Maintenance work will be required in the future, he said.

The district for the last few years has been focusing on three R’s: rigor, relevance and relationships. Rigor is the instructional elements; relevance is how what students are learning relates to the real world; and relationships is the piece upon which Quaglia as well as the outside provider working in the Programs of Promise at Wilson are working.

Read more about the program in Tuesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.