The Bring Up Grades (BUG) Program motivates all students to improve their academic performance by encouraging consistent effort and growth. It gives every student, from those with a 4.0 GPA to those with a 0.5 GPA, the opportunity to succeed and receive recognition for their progress.
School Type: Middle School, High School
Activity Goal: Motivation, Academic Improvement
Prep Time: 1 – 2 hours for the initial creation; 2 – 4 hours for monitoring grades each quarter
People Required: 3 Staffulty members to monitor grades, order supplies and collect contracts
Timing: Quarterly
Materials: Cardstock and prizes
Cost: Less than $10 per student.
Submitted by: Conway High School East, Arkansas
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE BRING UP GRADES (BUG) PROGRAM:
- Promote the program during the early part of the school year.
- After the first nine-week grading period ends and grades have been distributed, invite students to commit to improving their grades for the next quarter
- Create contracts: Ask each student to identify up to three courses they wish to “BUG” over the next nine weeks.
- The contract should require that student to identify several SMART goals/steps that will help them achieve higher grades.
- One stipulation is that no other course grade can drop a letter grade; a few points is okay.
- Print cover letters that explain the BUG Program in detail.
- Students sign the contract and take it home for a parent or guardian to review and sign. Once signed, contracts should be returned. Raising a percentage grade by even one point counts as achieving a goal!
- Students who achieve their goals are recognized a week after report cards are issued on BUG Out Day: a day when students receive incentives for each raised percentage grade.
ADDITIONAL IDEAS & OPPORTUNITIES:
-
- Incentives for BUG Program could include:
- Items imprinted with the high school logo
- Oops Coupons (forgotten homework or 5 test bonus points)
- Free school store items
- Treat bags.
- To keep students motivated, hand out candy or small prizes half way through the grading period to students who are on track and remind students about their BUG Program contracts.
- Learn more about SMART goals
- Incentives for BUG Program could include:
WANT ACCESS TO MORE SCHOOL CULTURE IDEAS FROM JOSTENS RENAISSANCE?
Contact us for a registration code or by reaching out to your Jostens rep. All Jostens customers have free access to Jostens Renaissance resources, and we’re happy to help!
If you don’t currently partner with Jostens for yearbooks or graduation regalia or other celebratory products, you can learn more here.