District 102 summer school scores show substantial growth

• Reprints

Updated: February 27, 2012 8:20AM

Students struggling academically outperformed their peers on computerized tests after attending a five-week summer school program in La Grange Elementary District 102.

School Board members said they were very encouraged by results presented Jan. 19 of the 2011 Summer Adventures program for at-risk first- through sixth-graders identified to receive extra help during the 2010-11 school year.

“The at-risk students who took the program are showing a lot more growth, and compared to the general population, they’re showing catch-up growth, said Lori Gehrke, assistant superintendent for instruction.

“The data also shows those who didn’t go aren’t showing as much growth,” Gehrke said. “They’re falling further behind.”

Scores of the 180 program participants on Measure of Academic Progress tests in math and reading were compared from the fall of 2010 to the fall of 2011 against at-risk students who didn’t go to summer school.

The average reading score for participants was double the growth for at-risk non-participants for first through sixth grades combined. Scores improved by 10 points for the district’s 1,674 general students, compared to 6 points for 133 at-risk students who didn’t attend summer programs, 12 points for 24 Jumpstart program students and 13 points for 148 students in the Summer Adventures program.

Scores also were compared between participants in the Summer Adventures program and Jumpstart, a related but shorter session of two weeks just before school starts to boost learning.

In general, although the Jumpstart students’ scores improved, it wasn’t as by much as the scores of students in the five-week program or those who took both sessions.

Like reading scores, math results also showed dramatic improvement. Scores for the combined grades taking summer school showed more growth than for at-risk students and the general population.

Board members expressed concern over the 326 students invited to the five-week program, but only 180 students, or 55 percent, signed up.

“This does say a lot for getting kids into the program and keeping them going,” said board member Joyce Fitch. “This should be one of our very highest priorities. When we contact families who didn’t go, we should let them know how much the other kids are growing.”

Gehrke said administrators have a goal of increasing summer enrollment by 15 percent in 2012.

Administrators also will introduce online math and reading components for the 2012 session June 11 through July 20. Jump Start classes will run from July 30 to Aug. 9.

“Using some assessment data, we can run some trajectories and pathways for each student,” Gehrke said. “For first- or second-graders struggling with phonics, we could loan into the system some online tests, supporting practice and engagement activities.

“We can differentiate the program to hone in on the deficit area.”

Superintendent Warren Shillingburg said he, too, was pleased with the results.

“One of our goals was to revamp the summer school program and tie it to our curriculum,” he said.

Board members also asked for a report on summer enrichment classes in addition to the sessions for at-risk students. Members suggested surveying students each fall as to what summer programs they took part in.