The data is amazing and the school atmosphere is changed. But student pride may be the best result of the recent emphasis on student accountability and after-school programs at Cole County R-1 Schools in Russellville.
Four years ago, when Karen Ponder took the elementary school principal's chair, she was astounded to see 69 grades of "F" in the middle school at the end of the first semester.
Ponder immediately researched Zeros Aren't Permitted (ZAP). "It guarantees they are accountable for their work," she said.
When a student doesn't complete assignments, they are sent to a shorter "eighth hour" where they may finish their work with teachers there to help them, if needed.