How to Run a Summer School Program
Summer school programs are curricula offered during this traditional seasonal break period. Students enroll in summer school for a variety of reasons, including to make up failed courses, to complete graduation requirements faster, or to extend the school year for special-needs students. From an administrative point of view, there are many things to consider when running a summer school program. Also, because of the shorter length of the term, there are more teaching challenges to overcome.
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Instructions
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Make sure transportation is available for all students who require it. Many students who enroll in summer school programs have special needs or are unable to find their own transportation or qualify for school district transportation. You can speak with local bus companies or contract with a local organization to provide transportation for these students.
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Provide daily meals or meal vouchers for students who need them or who do not have access to a public school lunch program. Most summer school programs consist of daily sessions that may last as long as a traditional school day. Students should be provided with healthy food that helps give them the energy to learn and absorb the day's academic material.
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Compress the regular educational curriculum so that it can be completed in a few months. Summer school programs run through the summer only, so teachers often have to find different ways to cover a subject. Discuss with teachers the type of adjustments they would prefer. You may even want to talk with the students. Ways to fit the curriculum into the time available include extending the school day, requiring students to cover some chapters on their own, and holding weekend classes.
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Provide the same textbooks, work materials and curriculum that are offered during the regular school period. This is important for continuity, and will help students make the transition when the new academic year begins in August or September. Some students take classes for remediation because of a failing grade, and using the same resource material will provide a sense of familiarity and the advantage of repetition.
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Provide advanced classes for students who wish to enter an accelerated program. This is important because sometimes students want to gain credit for college-level courses so they can expedite their graduation. Additionally, providing such classes will enable talented and highly motivated students to adapt to more rigorous material.
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References
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