Jostens Renaissance By the Numbers

When students feel like their presence matters, both for themselves and their peers, they are more likely to want to come to school. Presence in the form of attendance is often one of the measurable requirements for receiving Renaissance recognition or attaining higher levels of rewards. Several activities on the Idea Exchange, such as Monthly Perfect Attendance and Attendance Madness, specifically recognize and reward students for attendance.

Researchers who looked at student attendance found that it improved when schools used Renaissance strategies. In one study, one of Dr. Phillip Campbell’s respondents reported that offering a “no-tardy party” as a reward resulted in higher attendance rates and fewer tardies, and Campbell’s school reached an all-time high attendance rate of 95.8% while using Renaissance.[3] Saneik Buchanan’s analysis of one school’s data identified a significant decrease in absences.[2] John F. McEwan’s study provided the most comprehensive evaluation of school attendance data before and after the implementation of Renaissance, and it showed a dramatic decrease in absences. The interview portion of his study affirmed that students, and especially parents, and teachers attributed this change largely to Renaissance.[9]

This research data is supported by self-reported measurements provided by schools who have applied for the Renaissance School of Distinction.

Attendance Data from Renaissance Schools, as Reported on the 2023 School of Distinction Application

On their 2023 School of Distinction application, Shelbyville Central High School credited their Renaissance Reward Card system with a significant change in behaviors related to attendance:

When students don’t qualify [for Renaissance], they become hyper-vigilant about going back, cleaning up misdocumented tardies and/or absences with the teachers and attendance office, retrieving documentation from doctor’s visits, and turning in notes they neglected. When all of this is done, it essentially cleans up our attendance numbers and helps our percentages.

The qualitative research results also confirm an impact on attendance. In Alanna Walen’s research on the impact of Renaissance rewards on student achievement, she asked students if Renaissance helped motivate the improvement or maintenance of attendance, and 47% of respondents agreed or agreed strongly, 27% were neutral, and 26% disagreed or disagreed strongly.[11] Interviewees in several of the studies [3, 10, 11] also shared that Renaissance helped their school improve attendance.

Everyone from students to administrators is aware that grades and test scores are two of most important and monitored indicators of success for any school. By reinforcing the importance of academics, along with recognizing and rewarding students who meet GPA and grade improvement goals, schools give them a reason to do well with their studies. An important element of Renaissance systems is the encouragement of a growth mindset, to ensure all students feel able to participate; improvements (not just continued high performance) are recognized and rewarded, and positive peer pressure and talking about grades becomes the “norm” and “fashionable”.[8,9]

Several of the original Renaissance activities are still key drivers of this impact: Renaissance Rallies or other special events, where students who meet academic guidelines have a fun experience that reinforces academic growth; Renaissance Cards, where students earn tiered and motivating rewards for meeting specified criteria; and visible, tangible forms of recognition such as Painted Parking Spots that become coveted traditions that students are willing to work hard for.

Numerous studies found both measurable improvements in data and reported strong connections between the implementation of Renaissance and increased academic achievement in several ways of evaluating success:

Achievement Data Before and After the Introduction of the Renaissance Program in McEwan’s Study

Schools using Renaissance continue to see these kinds of results. Click here to see the most recently reported data.

Renaissance is rooted in creating strong relationships between all parties in a school. Those relationships, in combination with formal Renaissance reward programs such as Renaissance Cards, give students a reason to avoid discipline. Renaissance cards and other systems typically include behavioral requirements, like having one or fewer discipline infractions in order to qualify for rewards or activities.

The data from numerous studies supports the notion that using Jostens Renaissance leads to fewer disciplinary actions.[2,3,4] In one school 6, 105 student suspensions were reported before Renaissance, compared to 41 suspensions after implementation. In his doctoral thesis, Gregory English also noted that one school had 2,000 discipline referrals the year before Renaissance, and had 545 referrals five years later.[6]

In his dissertation evaluating Jostens Renaissance outcomes, Gregory Harrison looked at disciplinary actions for 9th graders and found significant reductions in the number of office referrals, out-of-school suspensions, and expulsions during the years Renaissance was gaining traction.7

Total Frequency Data for 9th Grade Discipline Assignment in Harrison’s Study

The qualitative reflections from the research also confirm that motivation to receive Renaissance rewards led to fewer disciplinary incidents. English interviewed one principal who had a high number of fights and incidents of teacher disrespect before 2013 when Renaissance started, and said that as of 2017 these types of incidents “almost never occur.”[6] Christopher Nowak and Kobik also were told by respondents that Renaissance cards motivate students to avoid altercations and behave positively in order to receive the benefits of participation.[10,8]

Schools using Renaissance strategies reported improvements in several discipline-related areas.

An inviting and positive school culture can do wonders for students showing up on time. If they WANT to be there, they will be there, so Renaissance helps us make it place that the students WANT to be.

– Marshall County High School, School of Distinction Application

It’s fair to say that students are aware that graduating from high school is important. But in the cacophony of daily life, the benefits of graduation can feel less tangible than other, more immediate temptations. Renaissance activities keep students thinking about grades, but they also offer a number of ways to reinforce the importance of getting across the finish line. The most direct are the Commitment to Graduate® activities and messages that visibly and regularly remind students of the benefits of hard work and graduating with their class.

Several studies found a strong connection between measurable improvements in graduation rates and the use of Jostens Renaissance. The following table summarizes the specific data available.

In addition to the graduation rate data above, McEwan looked at dropout rates and found that they declined dramatically during the first few years of Renaissance — by 20% the first year, 56% the second year, and 7% the third year.9 Harrison used retention rates to show there were significantly higher retentions since implementation.7

Campbell’s respondents gave Renaissance a lot of credit for their schools’ graduation rates, particularly because students wouldn’t qualify for the rewards if they exceeded a small number of absences, and also that relationships with adults who care about their success helped get them to graduation:

Several [Renaissance] award-winners mentioned that students developed a greater sense of self-worth and developed hope for their futures due to the practices and beliefs implemented under the Jostens Renaissance program.3

Another foundation of Jostens Renaissance is the concept of recognizing and rewarding teachers, staff, and even administrators in addition to students. It’s likely that teachers who don’t feel valued and respected put energy into valuing and motivating their students. Teacher retention is a challenge in most districts, and a positive culture can be a key factor in convincing teachers to accept a job and stay at a school. JostensRenaissance.com has a landing page with ideas on educator morale and retention, and an entire section of the Idea Exchange is dedicated to Staffulty recognition ideas.

Bollinger’s research paid special attention to the impact on educators.1

Bollinger also asked participants how they had changed professionally since the implementation of Jostens Renaissance. One described leaving a different school due to a poor culture:

It was very toxic. Where I am now, I am happier. I absolutely love being here and I attribute that to the Renaissance program. The change that I have seen is you can feel the positivity in this building. You feel important. You feel valued.[1]

The connection between faculty morale and student success was made in several studies. Coyne’s interviewees stated that positive climates and relationships are key to motivating both faculty and students.[5] A respondent explained to English how the focus on supporting teachers impacts students as well:

…It’s building those relationships and fostering those relationships, you know, that [our principal] focuses on. The academic success has gone up because…he has held the teachers accountable, and by putting the Renaissance program and the Rs in there and saying, ‘this is what we stand for, this is what we’re going to do. This is a non-negotiable.’ He’s made all the teachers better teachers.[6]

Anecdotal evidence provided as part of School of Distinction applications also indicates an impact on educator morale.

Our monthly tireless staff award (the winner is selected by the students on our Renaissance team) has really brought our staff together and created a culture of wanting to recognize others for the hard work they are doing.

– Kennebecasis Valley High School, School of Distinction Application

The terms “school culture” and “school climate” are often used together, but it’s important to distinguish between the two in order to get the full picture. School culture refers to the elements that make up the identity of a school, such as routines, norms, and traditions — “the way we do things here.” School climate refers to the way a school feels emotionally.

For example: part of American culture is Thanksgiving. Most families share in a tradition each year that comes with a set of relatively standard routines. That said, the climate can vary from family to family. In some families, the climate is formal, in others playful, and in some it can be toxic. The two are interconnected; climate (i.e., how a community feels) impacts participation in traditions, and culture (i.e., traditions and norms) impact how a place feels. Both climate and culture are needed to make school a place where students and Staffulty want to be.

Jostens Renaissance contributes to both culture and climate. Specifically, traditions such as Renaissance Rallies, Renaissance Cards, and Honorary Diplomas directly convey the school’s values and define “the way things are done.” The climate of a Renaissance school just feels different: Staffulty and students generally treat each other with appreciation and respect; pride and a sense of community are evident in visible ways throughout the campus; and meetings feel like celebrations.

Improvements in culture and climate are harder to measure than grades and graduation rates, so this category relies heavily on Staffulty and student perceptions. All the researchers in this summary had findings that led them to describe Renaissance as positively impacting the schools studied. A few examples looking at different angles of school culture include:

STUDENTS ENJOYING SCHOOL MORE: Walen asked students if Renaissance helped students enjoy school more, and 73% agreed/agreed strongly, 25% were neutral, and 2% disagreed/disagreed strongly.[11] Likewise, 52% of teachers and 53.5% of parents in McEwan’s study felt that students enjoyed school more because of Renaissance.[9] Coyne’s respondents noted that students appear more motivated to come to school, and more positive relationships can be seen between all groups.[5]

SCHOOL SPIRIT: McEwan asked if there was increased school spirit because of Renaissance, and 68.1% of teachers and 62.8% of parents agreed that there was.9 Bollinger asked teachers at Renaissance schools to agree/disagree with: “My school reinforces values through tradition,” and 95% agreed or strongly agreed.[1]

PARTICIPATION IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: Several of the 2023 School of Distinction applicants felt that Renaissance was a key factor in increased participation by students between 2022 and 2023. Stafford High School saw a 4% increase for athletic and competitive teams and a 3% increase in club participation. Henderson North Middle saw a 5% increase in student body participation in formal extracurricular activities. Oak Grove High School had 10% of the student body attending formal activities and offered to put on a spring carnival if at least 40% of the student body attended at least one activity, and they met that goal in 2023.

RENAISSANCE’S OVERALL IMPACT ON SCHOOL CULTURE: Bollinger asked teachers how effective their school’s involvement in Jostens Renaissance had been on improving culture. 96% said extremely or very effective.[1] Looking at Renaissance activity in a middle school for her dissertation, Michelle CarneyRay-Yoder asked all populations if they agreed with the claim that Renaissance “increases the positive school culture and increases morale for students and staff” and all 41 case study participants agreed.[4] Campbell’s respondents described Renaissance as the glue that hold their school together, an umbrella under which the rest of their school operates, and the catalyst for recognition and reward within their schools.[3] Coyne’s “interviewees linked positive climates and relationships to more productivity, more achievement, and more overall effectiveness in schools.” Coyne also asked interviewees if they saw a change in school climate since Renaissance started, and all answered “yes,” with one saying, “Absolutely. It permeated the entire school.”[5]

The Jostens Renaissance framework significantly impacts schools in six key areas, as demonstrated by formal research papers and supported by self-reported metrics. These results show that Jostens Renaissance is an effective, comprehensive approach to improving school culture and boosting student achievement by:

1. IMPROVING ATTENDANCE:
   Through its emphasis on recognizing and rewarding good attendance, students are encouraged to be more consistent in their school attendance, which in turn supports better academic outcomes.
2. IMPROVING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT:
    By recognizing and rewarding academic excellence, Jostens Renaissance motivates students to strive for better performance. Schools that these strategies saw measurable results in improved grades, higher standardized test scores, honor roll and National Honor Society status, and increased passing rates.
3. REDUCING DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS:
   Through its emphasis on recognizing and rewarding good attendance, students are encouraged to be more consistent in their school attendance, which in turn supports better academic outcome
4. INCREASING GRADUATION RATES:
   Through its emphasis on recognizing and rewarding good attendance, students are encouraged to be more consistent in their school attendance, which in turn supports better academic outcome
5. STRENGTHENING TEACHER MORALE:
   Through its emphasis on recognizing and rewarding good attendance, students are encouraged to be more consistent in their school attendance, which in turn supports better academic outcome
6. IMPROVING SCHOOL CULTURE AND CLIMATE:
   Through its emphasis on recognizing and rewarding good attendance, students are encouraged to be more consistent in their school attendance, which in turn supports better academic outcome

In addition to the peer-reviewed research outlined above, the JostensRenaissance.com website includes selfreported school data and success stories, in addition to personal statements that paint a full picture of the impact the Renaissance framework can have on educators and students. It’s difficult to measure the value of a relationship, but several studies3 and 11 in particular found that positive relationships are the key to all aspects of Renaissance, and make the recognition and rewards more meaningful.