Parents and teachers at Lexington Elementary School in
Monroe, La., feared their school was slipping into mediocrity or worse.
Attendance rates and standardized test scores were dipping. Suspensions were
rising.
So, school administrators implemented Lions Quest, a
life-skills program. After taking part in workshops, teachers worked with
students on relationship skills and responsible decision-making. They set high
academic expectations and coordinated service-learning projects in the
community.
After five years, a remarkable turnabout took place. The
test scores were the highest in the district, as were the attendance rates.
"We can see and feel the difference," said
principal Lynn Hodge. "Our students are more responsible. They can listen
and work together."
Teachers from across the nation report similarly positive
results with Lions Quest. The program trains those teaching kindergarten
through 12th grade to teach responsibility, conflict resolution, communication
skills and the dangers of drug and alcohol use. Participating schools also
receive books and materials.
Lions Quest is sponsored by Lions Clubs International, the
world's largest service club organization. To date, more than 11 million youths
have taken part in a Lions Quest classroom and more than 333,000 educators and
other adults have been trained by Lions Quest. Government agencies and
educational groups have given Lions Quest high ratings.
Lions Quest students show improved achievement test scores;
positive changes in attitudes toward substance abuse and violence; lower rates
of disciplinary problems and dropping out; and decreased use of alcohol,
tobacco and other drugs, according to studies done over the last 20 years.
Two years ago, Westside High School in Memphis, Tenn., was
stunned by the death of a 15-year-old student in a gang initiation fight in a
school bathroom. Westside students involved in Lions Quest organized an
assembly decrying the violence, set up peer support groups and performed
community service activities.
Westside quickly rebounded.
"The students at Westside don't have a lot of choices
in terms of student leadership," said teacher Nancy Byrd. "Lions
Quest gave them the opportunity to step forward and participate."
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