Summer school—once approached with trepidation—has a positive new image in the Red Clay Consolidated School District.
Instead of a remedial program for students who aren’t doing well academically, the summer session is focused on engaging ways to get students up to speed—and a bit ahead—so they can succeed when classes resume in the fall.
“We know that kids historically despise going to summer school,” says Mervin Daugherty, district superintendent. “So we got rid of that term and call it our Summer Enrichment Program.”
The program for students entering grades three through six was rolled out in 2009. Students are invited to attend, based on their scores from the Delaware Comprehensive Assessment System (DCAS).
According to tests administered before and after the 21-day program last summer, students show a dramatic improvement in basic skills. More than 90 percent improved in reading proficiency. Nearly 75 percent boosted their math skills. Teacher evaluations indicate 89 percent of students showed overall positive change.
Enrollment has taken off, as well. The first year, 350 students participated. The second year, there were about 500 students in Summer Enrichment.
This summer, Red Clay expects about 1,200 students to sign up for the program, with an additional 50-60 to enroll after classes begin on June 22. Parents whose children are performing well in school also can send their kids to help give them an academic and social edge. No student is turned away.
“The word gets out,” Daugherty says. “As we have continued our program, more and more parents are becoming convinced that this is a good thing.”
Red Clay School District reimagines summer school
Superintendent Dr. Mervin Daugherty discusses the district's summer enrichment program
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Academic research supports the concept that summer school benefits children who might otherwise fall behind during the break, with positive outcomes that last through the school year.
In “Making the Most of Summer,” a handbook published by The Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University, researchers found that students enrolled in effective summer programs have higher attendance records and improved report cards during the school year. Students also are more engaged in class and show increased skill development.
Researchers identified three characteristics of successful summer learning programs. First, there is an emphasis on accelerating learning to help children to make progress over a short period of time. Programs with sticking power also reflect a commitment to individual growth and development. Finally, effective programs take a proactive approach to summer learning, with opportunities for rewards rather than punishment.
I know no one [in Delaware] who is looking at this avenue to bring students in and work with them through the summer," noted Daugherty. "We've had people call us how to do this and we've given that information out. But right now, I think that we're the only one who's looking at this style of enrichment program to engage students."
So, how does Red Clay do it?
First, class sizes are small, no more than 10 students for every teacher. That enables teachers to give children more individual attention. Daugherty says it also helps students to build relationships with the teachers they will see when they return to school in the fall.
Instead of a rerun of lessons students did not grasp during the school year, the Summer Enrichment Program has a new curriculum that features engaging videos and interactive learning games.
Each day begins with 90 minutes of reading and vocabulary, a strategy designed to nurture a lifelong love of reading in students.
“We know that children who are readers excel,” Daugherty says.
A vocabulary lesson might include a video of an active volcano to visually convey the meaning of the word “erupt.” In math class, students count cubes and then link them into groups in order to demonstrate the concept of multiplication.
Students are assigned to one of six schools: Baltz Elementary; Brandywine Springs; Highlands Elementary; Marbrook Elementary; Mote Elementary; and Warner Elementary. Red Clay provides transportation by bus to and from the program, as well as a light, grab-and-go-breakfast. Lunch is provided before children head home at 11:30 a.m.
“Every time we see an obstacle, we remove it,” Daugherty says. “We want to make it easy for parents to send their children to the program.”
While the curriculum offers a fresh take on addressing the gaps students need to fill in from the previous school year, the emphasis is on pre-teaching reading concepts, vocabulary and specific math skills. Red Clay’s administration worked intensively with teachers to develop the curriculum.
“The teachers who are there really want to be there—and the children really want to be there, too,” says Karen Walsh, who directs the program. “This will be the third year for some children.”
Tara Fridley of Wilmington is sending her daughter Sara, who is entering fifth grade at Baltz School, to the program for the second time. Because she has ADHD, 11-year-old Sara sometimes has difficulty concentrating and needs a bit of extra help learning.
“After summers off, Sara would struggle when she went back to school,” Fridley recalls. “Thanks to the Summer Enrichment Program, she was well prepared for what the school year would bring.”
Last fall, Sara returned to school, filled with confidence and enthusiasm. She looked forward to seeing the new friends she had made during the summer session. Her reading scores rose more than 10 points.
Fridley says the program doesn’t interfere with kids having fun over the summer. Because sessions last half a day, Sara gets out in plenty of time to attend camp in the afternoon.
“Because the program is short and focused, the kids don’t feel a sense of drudgery,” she says.
Most kids head home or go to another activity after Summer Enrichment lets out. There also is an optional after-school program in which the emphasis is on electives, such as physical education and art.
Daugherty acknowledges that opening the program to everyone could result in Red Clay providing de facto child care services for parents in need of a sitter. But he believes those children would also benefit from an interactive learning experience.
“Whatever reason they come is good with me,” the superintendent says.
Last year, the program was paid for with Title I funds, provided by the federal government to help schools with a high percentage of disadvantaged students close the gap. This year, Red Clay is tapping the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, a one-time appropriation of federal economic stimulus money awarded to states to advance essential education.
Daugherty believes future funding will come from a combination of sources, including Title I funds, Race to the Top funds, and consolidated grant funding. He’ll also seek community support. “Our program will continue. People want to be involved,” says Daugherty. “Community partners and businesses ask how can we help you with this. And as we continue to grow, that's going to occur because we can't do it alone.”
“Based on our results, we believe it is money well spent,” Daugherty says. “Summer enrichment is an investment in children and education.”
