Pizza Parties, Pep Rallies, and Practice Tests: Strategies Used by High School Principals to Raise Percent Proficient

Abstract

This study explores ways high school principals are responding to the demands of education reform to raise student test scores on achievement tests used for accountability purposes. Anecdotal evidence suggests administrators have instituted pizza parties and pep rallies to motivate students to do their best and practice tests to prepare students academically. We interviewed principals to find out how they are both motivating and preparing their students for high-stakes tests. The goal of this research is to investigate how widespread these and other activities are and to see if the principals believe these strategies are indeed raising scores.