Investing in summer programs pays off

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008

Once reserved as time off from school, summers now provide opportunities to give children the extra nudge they may need to succeed or advance. This is especially where summer programs offer hope for struggling youngsters and a chance for seniors to complete projects required to graduate.

Statistics show that reading and math levels for children attending summer academies typically rise at least one level. And 69 rising seniors were able to inch closer to their goal of graduating this spring by submitting 97 "bridge" projects, of which 89 were accepted by a review panel.

The Bridge Plan for Academic Validation allows students who have not passed a High School Assessment, after taking the test twice, to complete projects that demonstrate a better or sufficient understanding of the specific subject. Charles County Public Schools launched its Bridge program this summer. Students who are seniors this year are the first who must pass the HAS to graduate.

Reading academies started in 1998 with 350 second-grade students at 10 elementary schools. The academies have grown over the years to include more than 2,200 at-risk students and additional subjects in elementary, middle and high school levels. Small classes and one-on-one attention are hallmarks of the program. Technology is used to reinforce concepts and enhance student motivation. Over the years, the school system has added other programs such as early childhood classes for 2- to 5-year-olds working on school readiness as well as life skills and vocational camps for students with special needs.

We didn't stop there. During the past decade, summertime for Charles County Public Schools also means high school SAT preparation classes, middle and elementary grade level enrichment reading classes and foreign language enrichment classes. This summer middle school students attended summer pre-engineering camps as part of the school system's focus on science, technology, engineering and math — STEM — subjects.

Students aren't the only ones using summer as a learning opportunity. Many teachers spend this time continuing their education through formal classes and camp-like opportunities. For example, nearly 100 high school staff, including teachers, administrators and support personnel, attended sessions on Capturing Kids' Hearts, a program designed to promote respect between teachers and students, and therefore academic achievement.

Others were upgrading their skills at the National Space Foundation Teacher Institute held at Maurice J. McDonough High School. Teachers explored kinesthetic astronomy and earth systems science to help them understand better how to focus and integrate STEM subjects into all content areas and lesson plans.

The summer programs outside of summer school are optional for students. More than 4,000 voluntarily attended classes, which are not the typical summer school fare once reserved for students repeating failed classes.

Why do Charles County public schools need to offer these summer programs? The likelihood of these students advancing to the levels they need to be at or moving ahead greatly improves with these additional opportunities.

Investing in our students and staff through summer programs returns many times over in better reading and math skills, time on task toward meeting graduation requirements and re-energizing lesson planning and expertise for teachers. Summer opportunities also help improve student self-esteem and attitude toward school. This can help them start the next school year with a renewed and positive attitude toward learning.

As budgets shrink and funding programs become a challenge, the board reaffirms its commitment to these important summer classes and sessions.

If Charles County's public schools hope to continue to eliminate the minority achievement gap as well as raise the number of students achieving advanced levels in math and reading, summer programs are a necessity.

Donald M. Wade is the chairman of the Charles

County Board of Education.