Focus on TUSD - April 2007

Summer School Schedule
Shifting to school year interventions instead of waiting for summer classes has reduced the need and scope for summer school programs in the Tucson Unified School District.
The district has more than halved its funding--from $2.5 million two years ago to $1 million this summer--to reflect the changed emphasis in its Summer Enrichment and Academic Success program. This funding reduction is a direct result of more interventions and funding going to students in a proactive manner during the school year, instead of reactive after the school year is over, said Lisa Long, director of curriculum and technology integration,
Educators have also found that summer school attendance trails attendance at school year interventions.

TUSD requires 30-minute intervention blocks daily at each school during the school year. Long said research shows schools should concentrate resources for student learning on the school year instead of banking on three to four weeks in the summer.

In addition to school year interventions, TUSD also provides assistance at before- and after-school programs, Saturday schools and AIMS tutorials.

The District does not normally offer summer sessions in all its schools, mainly because of funding limitations, said Deputy Superintendent Patti Lopez. This year, courses will be directed to students with the greatest needs, such as English Language Learners, Exceptional Education students, those who are not meeting expectations in standardized test scores at Title I schools, and students in the eighth grade who have not mastered the math standard.

TUSD expects to enroll about 10,000 students in its kindergarten- through 12th-grade summer programs. Sessions are scheduled in two sections -- for 9-12th-grade students and for kindergarten through eighth-grade students.

High school courses will be at Sabino, Sahuaro, Rincon, Palo Verde, Catalina, Tucson, Pueblo and Cholla, where a variety of courses will be offered for students seeking credit recovery or credit acceleration. About 175 high school students are expected to graduate, based on past year's participation. Summer high school graduation will be Thursday, June 28, at 7 p.m.

Students pay $100 for each 12-day semester or $180 for two semesters of the same subject. The first semester is May 29-June 13; the second semester is June 14-29. Graduation is set for June 28. Most schools have 7 a.m. to noon schedules. Just as it has had for 13 years, TUSD will have one afternoon high school attendance site.

Distance learning high school summer classes are available at $150 per semester.
Parents of elementary schoolchildren should contact individual schools for information about summer programs. Some sites have eligibility-based offerings that provide free tuition. Many schools also offer tuition-based classes. Some elementary schools provide enrichment courses for students who do not qualify for other programs.

For a limited number of eighth-graders, $250,000 in Title I federal funds for students of low-income families have been set aside to boost their math achievement before they start high school. This program is geared for students who have not met AIMS math standards.

TUSD has allocated $700,000 of its $1 million summer school budget for classes at Title I qualifying schools. The Compensatory Instruction Summer Academy for English Language Learners for kindergarten through eighth-grade will be at these sites: Cavett, Davidson, Hollinger, Johnson, Lawrence, Lynn/Urquides, Manzo, Menlo, Myers/Ganoung, Mission View, Naylor, Ochoa, Oyama, Pueblo Gardens, Roberts, Robison, Rose, Tolson, Van Buskirk, Wright, Hohokam, Maxwell, Richey, Valencia and Wakefield. In addition, target-assisted instruction will be offered at Corbett, Cragin, Maldonado and Safford Middle School.

The academy will focus on reading and math for English Language Learners who have not made adequate academic progress as measured by standardized tests. Enrollment is expected to be 1,545 students with 103 teachers.

Academy sessions will be 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday from June 4-28. Transportation will be provided, as well as breakfast and lunch.

The Opening Minds through the Arts program also offers tuition-based summer sessions and has scholarships available; call 225-4900 for more information.

Preliminary summer school schedules are subject to change based on needs.

For specific information about summer school offerings, visit the Summer School pages on the TUSD Web site.

-- By Sharon Dunham
Communications & Media Relations

TUSD - Proud Supporter of Small Classes

All photos in the April issue by Jes Ruvalcaba of Communications & Media Relations.

The deadline to submit material for the May Focus is Friday, May 4. The Focus will be published Friday, May 18. Email submissions to Chyrl Hill Lander or Sharon Dunham in the Communications & Media Relations Department or use the Focus Online Submission Form.