Wilbur Walters recalls the days when principals in Jackson Public Schools were more interested in competing than cooperating. But that was before Ask for More.

In 1999, the elementary and middle schools feeding students into Lanier High School, had the lowest test scores in JPS. Now, ten years later, all but two of the schools are at or above the district average with three of the elementary schools reaching the highest achievement level in the state accountability system. The graduation rate has increased from 54% to 77%. And in these same schools, the overall proficiency rate for students taking the statewide reading test is above the district average.

This dramatic improvement is largely a result of the Ask for More initiative, a school-community collaborative with Parents for Public Schools of Jackson serving as the lead partner. This is not the “business as usual” or a “one size fits all” approach. From the beginning, Ask for More ensured that schools used student performance data to provide specific and targeted professional development to drive school improvement needs and increase student academic performance.

“Ask for More forced us to identify the problems. Analyzing data was not our strength, but we had to start with the data because it showed us our weaknesses,” said Walters, associate superintendent of Jackson Public Schools. “We started thinking about student performance in terms of each succeeding and preceding level. Our collaborative helped us see the connections in student learning as students move from grade to grade, and from elementary to middle to high school.”

Principals once accustomed to competing for the best teachers and special programs, and vying for student performance and state accountability measurements, have seen that culture change. “Through Ask for More, educators work together to solve problems and create high quality teaching and learning,” Walters said.

How Ask for More works:

PPSJ facilitates a process of bringing principals together with lead teachers to create consensus about the vision for a particular school and the feeder pattern as an education continuum for children. PPSJ then works directly with schools to identify programs and strategies to address their particular needs. Finally, PPSJ works to bring resources to the schools to address these problems, mentor each other, and train parents to be more engaged.

For example, through Ask for More, schools are challenged to learn together how to deliver instruction in new and better ways. Because of this program, cross-grade meetings have changed how teachers teach and students learn. Upper grade teachers share with teachers in lower grades what their students will be required to know. Lower grade teachers share what works best with students in their classrooms.

This kind of culture creates great schools, great teachers, and ultimately, great students. And the results are in. Ask for More students are performing better because parents, teachers, and principals are “asking for more” and supporting each other.

The Ask for More initiative is part of PPSJ’s commitment to improving schools from the ground up – making sure no child is ever left behind.