For students at Garfield Community Learning Center (CLC) in Akron, Ohio, their presence is valued. A supportive system and the right incentives have led them to engage more with their education and future.
Garfield CLC has implemented a program supported by FirstEnergy that has contributed to changes in school culture and student achievement. The Ram Rewards Power Charge Program, launched in fall 2023, allows students to earn "Ram Rewards" points by meeting expectations like punctuality, adhering to dress codes, and using appropriate language.
FirstEnergy provides funding for the software that tracks these points. Students can redeem their points for items such as snacks and Garfield-branded clothing or save them for larger rewards like prom tickets and other events.
FirstEnergy Ohio President Torrence Hinton recently visited Garfield CLC. “Empowering the next generation starts with making sure students have every opportunity to learn, grow, and build a brighter future,” Hinton stated. “Witnessing the positive changes at Garfield is truly inspiring.”
The COVID-19 pandemic saw absenteeism rise nationwide. Many districts struggled to address this issue; however, Garfield CLC experienced success partly due to The Ram Rewards Power Charge Program. In two years, chronic absenteeism dropped by over 10%, surpassing Ohio's goal of a 1.8% decrease.
With increased attendance came fewer behavioral issues; suspensions nearly halved. As a result, students gained almost 4,000 more instructional hours by mid-2024-2025 compared to the previous year.
Quarterly assessment scores have improved across all grades. Principal Kathryn Rodocker notes more students are on track for graduation this year.
“The data speaks for itself, but the real impact is in the energy and enthusiasm we see in our students,” Rodocker commented. “School culture is transforming, and students are taking pride in being a Ram.”
Rodocker emphasized that Garfield’s achievements show how combining incentives with mentorships and community involvement can bring about meaningful change. “From staffing to business partners, there are a lot of pieces and parts that we’ve worked hard to align for the benefit of our students,” she said.