WASHINGTON — Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been named the 2016 winner of the Golden Psi Award by the Board of Educational Affairs of the American Psychological Association.
“The committee was most impressed by Kennedy’s ability to master open communication among teachers, students and parents for the sole purpose of advancing student achievement,” said Tammy Hughes, PhD, chair of the Golden Psi Award selection committee.
Kennedy was selected to receive the award in part for its implementation of the Students Maximizing Achievement Relationships and Time (SMART) Lunch program. During the 65-minute daily lunch period program, now in its second year, students have the opportunity to discuss their learning development with teachers in an informal environment, such as an individual tutoring session, while eating lunch. Additionally, Kennedy established Professional Learning Communities in 2010 for students and teachers to maximize academic feedback. Currently offered during the SMART Lunch time period, a primary focus of these communities is to shift student focus away from just achieving grades to a broader, primary goal of simply learning.
The program demonstrated that students are more motivated to learn when they have access to their teachers in an informal setting, according to Jason Kline, principal of Kennedy High School. As a result of the SMART program, approximately 600 students participated in Advanced Placement programs and took 1,071 exams in 2015, earning an average score of 3.33 (out of a 5). AP course and club participation have risen and students have earned fewer D’s and F’s.
“We are so excited to be the first school in our district to have won this award,” Kline said. “This award reflects the quality of the work our students, staff and parents are doing every day. Everyone is truly involved.”
A public urban school, Kennedy offers instruction for grades 9-12 with a total of 1,767 students enrolled in the 2015-16 academic year.
“Kennedy provides a unique opportunity to create a dynamic learning environment heavily based on child input,” Hughes said. “What separates Kennedy from other schools is that learning is specifically student-driven.”
The Golden Psi Award is based on factors that include educational adaptations shown to be appropriate for a school’s demographic makeup, the use of evidence-based interventions, measureable academic and /or social-emotional growth and monitoring of an individual’s or group’s progress.
Kennedy High School received an award trophy and a check for $1,000. Kennedy also will earn recognition at the American Psychological Association convention, on the APA Education Directorate webpage and in the APA Monitor.
The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world's largest association of psychologists. APA's membership includes more than 117,500 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people's lives.