WHIZ KIDS | specswhizkids

SPECS Whiz Kids is the newest subsidiary of Sherre Padgett Education Consulting Services (SPECS). This program was developed in 2012 in the Metro Atlanta, GA area to promote success for urban and rural children via a holistic approach in a cooperatively competitive environment. Initial participants are students in grades K-5, with other grades added strategically as subsequent phases are implemented. Our commitment to breaking the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, poor academic and social skills, and lack of pride are the driving forces behind the development of this program. We believe that all children deserve to have the hope of a bright future and SPECS Whiz Kids is an innovative approach for delivering this to them. As such, SPECS has developed a comprehensive program consisting of the following:

1. Academic support and enrichment

SPECS Whiz Kids participants have access to various academic support and enrichment opportunities including homework help, academic tutoring, and academic enrichment, with an emphasis on reading and mathematics. All content area enrichment materials are aligned with Common Core State Standards.

2. Academic coaching and team development

SPECS Whiz Kids participants are placed in academic teams and lead by a certified and/or trained team coach. Coaches will provide positive, supportive, and engaging training, leadership, and mentorship for the children they coach. Cooperative teamwork and sportsmanship will be promoted within and between teams. All coaches must undergo extensive background checks to ensure the safety of our participants.

3. Cooperative academic team competition

SPECS Whiz Kids participants compete in an exciting academic bowl competition that marks the end of each program period. The academic bowl is held in a public forum where parents, family, friends, and community constituents come and support participants as they answer challenging questions. The competition will include questions from all academic content areas as well as health and the arts.

4. Character building opportunities

SPECS Whiz Kids participants will be given opportunities to actively practice principles of good character. Our positive cooperative environment is the perfect atmosphere in which to practice these qualities as they will promote life-long skills that make productive and world changing citizens.

Mission

The mission of SPECS Whiz Kids is to empower the overall success of urban and rural children by promoting a culture of character, learning, and achievement through cooperative team competition in a supportive and engaging out of school setting.

Program Goals

To promote a culture of character, learning, and achievement
To provide a supportive and engaging out of school learning environment
To promote life-long learning through exposure to a vast array of concepts in academic and social settings
To promote cooperative competition via an academic quiz bowl competition to highlight student achievement and increase motivation
To promote family and community involvement in providing support for participants

Student Goals--Students are expected to:

Develop the motivation to learn and achieve
Demonstrate principles of good character
Participate fully in all program activities
Demonstrate an increase in pride and self confidence
Improve academic performance in core subjects, with an emphasis on reading
Build a foundation of knowledge that will carry over into the next level of education and beyond
Demonstrate cooperative teamwork principles in a competitive, yet supportive environment

Prepared for the Challenge...in Academics and Life!

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