Summer School – Stretching your dollars when budgets are tight
Posted by Suki Husain on Fri, Jun 19, 2009
Many California school districts were faced with a special challenge this year: to meet the educational demands of their ESOL students over the summer while still struggling with significant budget cuts.
Without the funds to open their traditional summer program, Capistrano Unified School District (CAPOUSD) decided to try something different. Using AB 1802 funding for supplemental materials for English Language Learners, they decided to utilize a summer school model that provides online instruction that students can access at home.
We are excited that they selected Smart Tutor for their curriculum! Starting next week, over 1200 English Language Learners (ELL) across 22 schools will participate in this innovative home summer program.
Letters have been sent to students' homes to let them know about this unique learning system. Many parents have responded very positively to this new approach, even asking if an adult version of the program is available! To account for students who may not have access to the internet at home, the program is also accessible at libraries and other summer camps that a student might be enrolled in.
At Tijeras Creek Elementary, Ms. Buckingham, the principal decided to purchase extra licenses so she could include students who were at-risk and falling behind grade level. She provided on-site trainings to parents on how to use the system to ensure effective usage.
It's impressive to see school districts such as CAPOUSD think creatively by providing students with the summer instruction they need to be prepared for the new school year. It is another testament to what is possible when schools and parents work together and think outside the box!
Photo by: Ken Lund