SMILE Project

In 2000, Lake Hills Elementary School designed a program that considered both academic and behavioral growth of students. One of only four projects funded through a four-year federal grant, the SMILE Project was a cooperative effort of Lake Hills and the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District, Grand Valley State University, Western Michigan University, and the University of Oregon.

Since then the Michigan’s Integrated Behavior and Learning Support Initiative (MiBLSi) has continued to expand these efforts to develop support systems and sustained implementation of a data-driven, problem-solving model in elementary schools to help students become better readers with social skills necessary for success.

At Lake Hills we encourage successful behaviors by teaching and reinforcing school-wide standards, expectations, and daily routines. By monitoring major and minor infractions of behavior we consistently provide a safe learning environment for all students. Infractions are recorded at school and a Discipline Referral Form is sent to the child's parent or guardian.

Students at Lake Hills are also "Caught Being Good" and awarded coupons for demonstrating the school rules of "Be Responsible, Be Respectful, and Be Safe." Students then use the coupons to purchase items at the school store that is operated by the student council.

Academic Progress

As one method of monitoring successful academic progress, students receive several assessments each year of their ability to fluently read selected grade level text. This snapshot of their reading rate provides a predictability of overall reading success.

The Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) are a set of standardized, individually administered measures of early literacy development. By using the DIBELS web-based database we are able to generate student, classroom, and school progress reports and regularly monitor the development of pre-reading and early reading skills for all students.

The stacked-bar chart above reflects the results of these assessments at Lake Hills Elementary School. Progress toward benchmark goals is monitored by classroom teachers. Students in the intensive category receive additional academic support services and/or computer-assisted intervention.

If you would like more information about the SMILE Project, please contact Sue Mueller at Lake Hills Elementary School.