Throughout the community, Fern Ridge Middle School had a reputation for trouble. And no wonder. That year, the office received 7,000 disciplinary referrals. Today, Fern Ridge Middle School is a school where students, teachers, administrators, and parents interact politely and with real purpose. Grades are up.
Referrals are way down.
The school has been honored by the Oregon School Boards Association, applauded by community members, and besieged by curious visitors. The school's turnaround has taken a long-term effort by teachers, administrators, and experts in behavior management to change the whole school climate. And like a breath of fresh air, the new climate has invigorated all who work and learn here. Investing their own money and time, they enrolled in a year-long night class at the University of Oregon. According to research by Horner and his colleague George Sugai, lasting improvements in discipline do not happen by dealing with one student or one class at a time.