DATE: August 14, 2008
CONTACT:
David S. Fleming, (864) 656-1881
dflemin@clemson.edu
WRITER:
Ross Norton, (864) 656-4810
rnorton@clemson.edu
GoalPOST leads Anderson kids to set goals
CLEMSON — A new program this fall at two schools in Anderson County not only provides a physical and mental boost to elementary kids, but it also teaches them how to set goals and the value of achieving them.
GoalPOST – Goal-oriented Performance in Out of School Time – starts Sept. 15 at Pelzer and Spearman elementary schools, thanks to a grant Clemson University researchers secured from the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program at the U.S. Department of Education. The first year award for the four-year project is $199,970.
The program will employ teachers and staff from Clemson University and its partner, Anderson School District One.
GoalPOST is a before- and after-school program designed to provide academic assistance and physical activity to a total of 135 students at the two schools. Key components of the program include lessons in task-oriented goal setting.
“If we can guide kids into recognizing that they can accomplish things by setting goals, then they can improve many aspects of their life, not just academics,” said David Fleming, assistant professor and graduate coordinator in Clemson’s Eugene T. Moore School of Education. “The GoalPOST Program will provide academic and homework assistance, along with physical and recreational activities, to provide an engaging, positive environment for students outside of regular school hours.”
Instructors will teach children how to set personal, achievable goals rather than goals that encourage them to compete against each other.
The program is open to all children, with priority given to those most in need of the extra assistance, Fleming said. GoalPOST is a four-year research project to study the effects of achievement-oriented goals and out-of-school programming.
The GoalPOST program will be implemented daily from 7:30-8 a.m. before school and 2:45-5:25 p.m. after school. Bus transportation will be provided. The GoalPOST program is free to participating students.
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