Case Study: Michigan Cares & Levey Middle School

CASE STUDY

Changing the Narrative with Michigan Cares & Levey Middle School

As one of the first schools to utilize Michigan Cares, Levey Middle School has found that by changing the narrative on how to support youth, their students now have an opportunity to learn from their mistakes. Prior to implementing the modules in their classrooms, Levey’s options for responding to students’ missteps were very similar to most schools: suspensions, detentions, or sending them home. But with Michigan Cares, the use of those tools has drastically declined and at times, not been needed at all. 

By giving students guidance about how to treat their peers, reflect on their actions, or navigate the world around them, Levey has received nothing but positive feedback from students and improvements in their behaviors. With the program students are learning to understand how to manage their emotions, set goals, achieve them, and make responsible decisions. 

“In my 25 years of working in Detroit schools, I’ve seen my share of school programs that are designed support students as they navigate through life alongside their academic endeavor,” says Joel Blankenship, Levey’s coordinator of culture diversity and inclusion. “I can confidently say that the resources today have come a long way – Michigan Cares has really helped Levey students become the best that they can be.” 

How Levey Middle School Implemented Michigan Cares

By focusing on students’ social and emotional development, Levey has created an intersection of knowledge and how to apply it to the students’ own worlds using Michigan Cares character development lessons. Levey encourages teachers to use the program during first period, and assign modules based on student need. Then, if a student lands in detention, Levey uses a layered approach with Suite 360-intervention and restorative practices modules, and guidance from Mr. Blankenship, to help students understand how to better manage their emotions and behaviors. 

In the beginning of the 2022-2023 academic year, Levey had 25 school suspensions. These were due to tardiness, dress code violations, cell phone usage, along with other small infractions. However, that number began to decrease from twenty-five to seven, from seven to two, and from two to zero.

Rather than punishing students by suspending them and preventing them from being in an academic learning environment, Levey’s school leaders helped to change the narrative that the school had. The faculty, utilizing Michigan Cares, helped to increase engagement inside of the classroom while removing barriers to students’ academic learning.  

“Life is life, and kids will still make mistakes, but our hope is that they just won’t make as many,” added Blankenship. 

Implementing Michigan Cares in Your School

From learning how to set and achieve goals to making responsible decisions, Michigan Cares guides students to turn struggles into strategies. When asked what would help students, educators often note the need for life skills like making responsible decisions in the classroom, feeling and showing empathy for others, and developing healthy coping techniques. These are just a handful of real-life concerns that Michigan Cares addresses in 1,300+ lessons. 

Michigan Cares consists of social-emotional learning modules for students, staff, and parents, and is available at no cost to all Michigan schools and districts. Additional restorative practices programming is also available in customized bundles. 

Get started with Michigan Cares in your own school today at www.michiganvirtual.org/michigancares.