With the summer drawing to a close, the idea of summer school keeps surfacing in my head. Summer school is somewhat controversial because the summer is a time for students to take a reprieve from traditional learning. However, the responsibility of providing kids with opportunities to explore new ways of learning in the summer months falls on parents. For some moms and dads that is a welcomed experience because they are financially secure and have the liberty and time to create experiences that will entertain their children.
However, what happens to the families who do not have extra money to send their kids to summer camp, sport’s camp, art classes, or even opportunities to go to the pool or park? Many of those kids end up staying home cooped up in warm apartments in a trance from watching so much television or playing video games.
One thing that the schools can do during the extended time during the day is group tutoring. Also, that time could be where electives could be offered providing enrichment, and exposure in music, art and athletics. Many school districts are now requiring mandatory summer school, particularly for students who fail state standardized tests. However, instead of summer school being mandatory, schools should work on restructuring the most effective use of school time during the regular school year. Maybe the answer is to extend both the school day and making sure that teachers are paid more and compensated for the extra time. This extra time can also be used for enrichment in subjects and exposure to the arts and athletics. After all, there is a significant debate among education researchers as to the long-term benefit for students of mandatory programs. Students may gain a few points on the state tests, but they may not carry that benefit forward in future years. Most educators agree that innovative and creative approaches are needed to prepare students to raise their levels on state tests. Extending the school day may be the answer.
It is clear that school systems need to radically improve the services we provide to students during out-of-school time. Twoprograms that really sounds interesting are being launched in the DC public schools: Summer Scholars and Afternoon Scholars. The name itself is engaging to both students and parents. It changes the stigma that has always been attached to summer school as a punitive measure instead of a way to strengthen skills and to broaden extra curricular options through field trips, creative arts projects and sports all connected to the units that are being studied. The concentration of the program is to provide academic enrichment and recreational activities for students at the elementary and middle school level.
Definitely students who have not achieved grade level proficiently in reading or mathematics should attend summer school. However, students who have not completed their coursework up to state standards for their classes especially in middle school should also attend. After all, if we are creating a model for success in future jobs and in college, students should understand that if they do not take school seriously, there are consequences, for their choice of failing. Consequently, enrichment programs should also be offered to elementary and middle school students in summer school so they can surpass the proficiency level in reading and mathematics. Summer school is not only designed to promote students to the next level, but as away to equip students with essential tools for academic success. Attending can be genuinely encouraged if summer school is designed as not only a place where remediation happens, but enrichment both academically and socially by providing sport programs, and interesting field trips.
Summer school in New York City seems to be a second thought. Some students were scrambling for seats at summer school sites. Why can’t each school just extend the school year a little longer? Then teachers can help their students achieve higher goals which is easier to do when they are teaching students whom they have already established a connection with and know their learning style.
Clearly, we have lost interest in summer school, which is now so underfunded that schools are forced to restrict which groups of failing students are eligible to enroll. New York City needs to redesign the idea of summer school and one way to start is by looking at successful models like the one being piloted in Washington DC public schools. Also, we must rethink the concept of “summer school” by extending the regular school year instead of making it a separate system just for the summer.
Claire Lowenstein is a New York City public school teacher at PS 333, Manhattan School For Children. Claire has taught middle school English, History, Special Education, and in Collaborative Team Teaching model for the last ten years in three different public schools in Manhattan. Claire has recently taken a leadership role at her current school to help plan a more successful framework for the upcoming school year. Last year, she was a Teachers Network Leadership Met-Life fellow conducting action research around cross age peer tutoring. She is participating in a DFER fellowship for 2008-2009.