Summer school will be unlike any before in Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 this year as third graders, eighth graders and high school freshmen on the brink of failing will have the chance to improve their performance and be promoted to the next grade.
Last spring, district administrators introduced a plan for the current school year to closely monitor student academic performance in third and eighth grades, as well as freshmen. Those whose grades showed they may be headed for failure were given extra support.
As the year progressed, those students’ efforts continued to be followed. If performance during the current third quarter merits repeating the grade, they get the opportunity to earn promotion at summer school. Approximately 12% of the youngsters involved will make the choice.
“This is the year it goes into effect,” Eric Christianson, the director of academic support programs, said. “We’ve been communicating with parents through letters, report cards and other information.”
Christianson was among the administrators updating the District 60 Board of Education about the pending execution of the promotion retention policy Tuesday at the Lincoln Center administration building in Waukegan.
As of the end of the second quarter in December, 92 third-graders, 200 eighth-grade students and 71 freshmen were candidates for the new program to earn the opportunity to move into the next grade rather than repeat the current one.
“These numbers are fluid,” Christianson said. “They go up and down depending on the report cards and the grades.”
As a student’s performance borders on retention, Christianson said they receive close attention. Students meet with teachers for help, and parents are informed of the situation. Their work receives more scrutiny.
“We’re looking at the data to make sure we’re doing everything we can so they don’t end up on the list to need to be retained,” he said “We’re doing everything we can to learn through the school year.”
Making summer school seamless for students working toward promotion, there for enrichment or gaining a high school credit to take a more advanced course in the fall is a goal. The day will be longer and include lunch. Students in the retention program will not be segregated.
“It’s all going to be side-by-side,” Christenson said. “Hopefully the students won’t even know who’s there for summer school, who’s there for their health and who’s there for enrichment. They’re all there together.”
Unlike past years where summer school was three hours, the school day will be longer. Elementary and middle school students will be in class from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. High school will have a morning session from 8:30 to 11 a.m. and another from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students can elect to attend both periods if they choose.
For the first time, Christenson said students will receive grades regardless of the reason they attend. Marks will be given at least weekly. Work portfolios will be kept so there is a thorough record of everything done. Classes will be held four days a week from June 3-26.
For those working toward promotion, Christenson said parent conferences will be held in July so families will know the outcome when their child returns to school in August.
Board member Christine Lensing said instituting grades is a good idea. It will make students more serious about their work. She also likes the implementation of conferences so parents are well-informed.
“That gives it the importance it deserves because it’s done with intent, and that should also hold them accountable for the grade they’re earning and communicating with the families on how they went,” she said.
Though students will not know who is in school for what reason, Christenson said there is a specific plan for those in the retention classes to give them the best chance for success. Their instruction will be targeted to meet their goals.
“There will be classes where they are all together, and there’ll be some they are separated out for,” he said. “There will be some choices to make it enjoyable for a summer school program.”
