GEAR UP Summer Schools Sparks Learning and Academic Progress
Summer school, like the spring term, was different than usual, but GEAR UP schools made this a productive time. Clearfield High School and American Preparatory Academy, along with Matheson and Kennedy Junior High Schools in the Granite School District, adapted their summer programs to both online and in-person learning.
Kennedy Jr. High School students participated in self-paced learning as part of GEAR UP Summer Academy.
Clearfield High School took their credit recovery online and students logging over 100 credits in two weeks.
While the details of each school's efforts varied, all the schools were dedicated to meeting students where they were at and helping them complete their studies. Many of these programs focused on self-paced learning with support. Stan Drasutis, site coordinator at Kennedy Jr. High School described it as “self paced, meaning you go as fast or as slow as you want.” He said that help was available to “answer questions, but our main focus was to help students learn how to work with tutors online.” While students met in-person in the library, teachers answered questions via Google meetings.
“Many of the students in our community come from disadvantaged families where getting school work completed at home resulted in many incomplete grades in core subjects,” said Drasutis. “We felt it imperative to give the students a space to complete their assignments while giving them assistance and guidance.” This led the school to offer GEAR UP Summer Academy, a partnership between Kennedy Jr. High and Salt Lake County Youth Services. The program centered around the remediation of incomplete 8th grade core subject courses such as Math, English, Science, and History.
Clearfield High School in the Davis School District took their credit recovery online. “We had teachers create CANVAS courses that covered essential content,” said Jenne Talbot, a history teacher and site coordinator at the school. “For two weeks, students met every day with a teacher online and then worked on the courses for an hour afterwards.” Students could take up to three courses, and logged over 100 credits made up in two weeks.
American Preparatory Academy, a public charter school, created packets for the students to fill out for credit recovery. Students received packets that they needed credit recovery for by subject and quarter. They had the option to receive their packets in different ways. BrainHoney, an e-learning system designed to help students complete assignments and tests, was the most popular. “Students that needed a quiet place to work and some assistance had the option to come into the school as well,” said Brittany Shields, site coordinator at APA.
Both Matheson and Kennedy Jr. High Schools in the Granite School District held sessions early in the summer, in June through July 2. Matheson’s Summer Blast program provided in-person and online learning experiences. Mornings offered art and social emotional activities while academics and games were in the afternoon. “The primary focus was mentoring with ELA, Math, and Science activities,” said Jesika Cooper, site coordinator at Matheson. “The online component allowed students to get advanced classes out of the way in order to free up their school year for more rigorous electives and advanced class work.” Matheson had 25 students sign up for the online summer course, and Kennedy had 21 students in-person with an around an 80% completion rate.
“It was intense, but a great opportunity to rethink how we have done things,” said Talbot. This seems to sum up summer learning in all of our USU STARS! GEAR UP schools. Now on to fall, where more challenges await our hardworking schools and teachers.