Summer Bridge Program
for Rising Grade 9
Students
College & Career Readiness
Webinar Series
April 14, 2015
Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Agenda
• Part I: Current state of grade 9 students in
Massachusetts
• Part II: Research on 9th grade
• Part III: Lawrence Public Schools
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Part I: Current State of
Grade 9 Students in
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Following a cohort of 9th graders entering in 2007…
- 86% of those 9th graders graduated high school in 5 years
- 6 out of 10 9th graders enrolled in college the fall after graduation
- 5 out of 10 9th graders persisted to the second year of college
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Following a cohort of low income 9th graders in 2007…
- 75% of those 9th graders graduated high school in 5 years
- 4 out of 10 of those 9th graders enrolled in college the fall after graduation
- 3 out of 10 of those 9th graders persisted to the second year of college
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Nearly 1 in 10 first time 9th graders are not
promoted to 10th grade
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Across the state, over 20% of 9th graders fail at
least one course
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Source: DART SAHS
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
For First Time 9th Graders 2013-14 Course Passing
Group
Total
State
Total
Urban
All Courses Passed
Not All Courses Passed
State
Urban
State
Urban
White
46,708
5,815
86.7%
73.0%
13.3%
27.0%
Hispanic
11,669
7,732
61.5%
54.0%
38.5%
46.0%
Black/ Afr. Amer.
6,181
3,665
66.6%
62.9%
33.4%
37.1%
Asian
3,927
1,541
90.7%
83.0%
9.3%
17.0%
Low Income
26,559
14,042
64.9%
58.5%
35.1%
41.5%
ELL
4,567
3,632
55.6%
51.8%
44.4%
48.2%
Students w/disabilities
11,261
3,417
67.3%
52.1%
32.7%
47.9%
High Needs
31,296
14,134
68.4%
59.7%
31.6%
40.3%
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
First Time 9th Graders 2013-14
Course Name
Algebra I (incl. Parts I and II)
Geometry
Biology
ELA
Physics
World History
US History
Course Name
Algebra I (incl. Parts I and II)
Geometry
Biology
ELA
Physics
World History
US History
Number of
Students Failing State
4,918
401
2,507
3,696
1,032
1,874
1,502
Number of
Students Failing Urban
2,874
186
1,538
2,104
806
1,090
1,099
N=13,569
36.2%
3.0%
18.5%
27.2%
7.6%
13.8%
11.1%
N=6,925
41.5%
2.7%
22.2%
30.4%
11.6%
15.7%
15.9%
Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
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Using EWIS
The outcome indicator for EWIS for 7th, 8th and 9th graders is risk of
not passing all ninth grade coursework, this tool is ideal for helping
to flag/identify students who may be in need of assistance.
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
th
9
First Time
Graders 2012-13
and Drop Out 2013-14
Number of
Students
Number of
Dropouts
Dropout
Rate
Students Passing All Courses
55,302
152
0.3%
Students Not Passing All Courses
16,903
731
4.3%
Group – Urban
Number of
Students
Number of
Dropouts
Dropout
Rate
Students Passing All Courses
12,152
76
0.6%
Students Not Passing All Courses
7,388
481
6.5%
Group – State
Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
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First Time 9th Graders 2012-13
MCAS Results (2013-14)
Group - State
Number of 10th Grade
Students Tested ELA
% Proficient
or Advanced
10th Grade
Tested
Math
% Proficient
or Advanced
Students Passing All
55,302
53,352
94.0%
53,388
86.5%
Students Not Passing All
16,903
12,377
79.5%
12,396
56.7%
Group - Urban
Number of 10th Grade % Proficient
Students Tested ELA or Advanced
10th Grade
% Proficient or
Tested
Advanced
Math
Students Passing All
12,152
11,420
86.1%
11,426
74.9%
Students Not Passing All
7,388
4,599
66.3%
4,623
39.6%
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Part II: Research on 9th
Grade
Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Recent General Research Findings
• 9th grade announces, and often defines, a school’s
commitment to equity and to preparing every
student for life
• The messages students receive in 9th grade, and
the self-beliefs they adopt, can define their high
school years
• High rates of 9th grade academic course failures
are more related to non-cognitive skills and
behaviors than academic skill deficits
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Recent Research Findings
• 9th grade professional learning communities that
meet regularly, review data, and collaborate on
planning and teaching are essential
• 9th grade performance is highly predictive of a
student’s likelihood of graduating high school
• 9th grade is either a gatekeeper to
opportunity or springboard to success
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
9th Grade as a Gatekeeper
• Assumption that students arrive ready for high
school level work
• Belief that students know how to take advantage
of the opportunities provided
• Perception that only some students are “college
material”
• Courses, schedules, and curriculum built around
teacher and institutional needs and desires
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
9th Grade as a Gatekeeper
• Academic courses and support are separate and
uncoordinated
• More resources are allocated to higher level
courses and older students
• Teachers work in isolation
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
9th Grade as a Springboard
• Assumption that all students need personalized
support and attention
• Belief that teachers need to guide or coach
students to make good choices
• Perception that all students can succeed
academically and go onto post secondary
education
• Courses, schedules, curriculum and instruction
are built around student needs
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
9th Grade as a Springboard
• Academic courses and support are deeply
coordinated
• Adequate resources and staff are allocated to
support incoming students
• Teachers collaborate regularly within the school
day and with potential out of school (both space
and time) opportunities
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Summer Bridge Programming
• Many schools and districts throughout the country are creating
summer bridge programs to:
-
Accelerate academic achievement
Mitigate summer learning loss
Strengthen preparation for high school
• They vary widely in design and purpose, ranging from:
-
1-2 day orientations to high school
Rigorous, multi-week academic program
• Some districts specifically target students who are more likely to
struggle in high school, while others have open-enrollment policies
• In many cases, districts fund and operate summer bridge programs,
but others may be funded by grants and or operated in partnership
with community organizations
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Summer Bridge Programming:
8 High Impact Practices
1.
Student data are used to identify students who are at greater risk of
failing, dropping out, or struggling in high school – and identified
students are proactively targeted for participation
2. Student data are provided to teachers before the program begins,
and teachers personalize instruction and supports
3. There is an intensive academic focus on the foundational reading,
writing, math, and academic skills that are critical to success in high
school and in all content areas
4. Courses and learning experiences are taught by experienced, skilled,
and qualified teachers—ideally, the same teachers who will instruct
program students when they enter ninth grade
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Summer Bridge Programming:
8 High Impact Practices
5. The curriculum is based on clear learning goals and expectations
that have been aligned with 9th grade courses and standards
6. Teachers, counselors, and advisors embed social and emotional
development into all learning experiences, and they help students
prepare for the challenges they are likely to encounter in 9th grade
7.
The curriculum includes orientation activities for both students and
families, assistance with study skills and organizational habits, and
proactive postsecondary-planning guidance
8. Educators and support specialists intentionally build relationships
between students and adults—specifically, between students and the
teachers, counselors, advisors, and mentors who will instruct and
support students in 9th grade
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Research Resources and Tools
• Consortium for Chicago School Research
What Matters for Staying On-Track and Graduating in Chicago
Public High Schools:
http://ccsr.uchicago.edu/sites/default/files/publications/07%20
What%20Matters%20Final.pdf
• Great Schools Partnership
Ninth Grade Counts 3-Part Guide:
http://www.greatschoolspartnership.org/resources/ninth-gradecounts/
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Summer bridge program:
Lawrence Public Schools
Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Profile of Lawrence High School Campus
•Serves nearly 3,600 students in eight high school
schools/programs
•Nearly 92% are Latino/Hispanic, over 90% low
income
•Four year graduation rate of 66.9% (up from
46.7% in 2010)
•District in state receivership as a level 5 District
Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
History of Program
In the past, a summer bridge program was run for
a cohort of about 50 students.
For 8th graders most at risk of high school failure;
indicators used included:
1) # of discipline referrals
2) failure in core classes {language arts & mathematics}
3) attendance.
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
History of Program
 50 students was a small number of the total at risk population
 No offerings for on-track or advanced students.
 No offerings for 8th graders at city charter schools or parochial
schools. Students were awarded high school credits and took
classes in language arts, mathematics, school success, & some
type of enrichment.
 Participants may or may not have been assigned teachers that
would be working with them during the regular school year.
 This was a problem because with 6 schools on campus,
students did not make connections with teachers who would be
assigned to them during the calendar school year
Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
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History of Program
 Middle school staff were primarily responsible for
selecting students for the program.
 Not all identified students attended.
 If students did not attend, there was not a clear policy
on whether they would need to repeat 8th grade of if
they could move on to 9th grade.
 There are many students that benefit from this type of
program, currently 70% of the district’s 8th graders are
identified as high/moderate risk in EWIS, that is over
700 students.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
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What does the summer program look like now?
“LHS READY”
 Summer 2014, program ran from June 25th to July 25th.
 A little more than 4 hours per day
 English, mathematics, and enrichment
 All 8th graders in district, charter, and parochial schools
invited to attend.
 Classes offered for all levels of students.
 Students assigned to grade 9 teachers of the high
school that they would attend; i.e. a 9th grader
assigned to the Health & Human Services High School
was assigned to grade 9 HHS teachers during the LHS
Ready Program.
 472 students attended the program.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
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Connection to School
 Students were awarded a semester of English and a semester of
mathematics credit.
 For students who were behind, there was reinforcement and
intervention.
 Project Adventure was incorporated for team building as students
were coming from neighborhood schools and were meeting many
new peers.
 As there are 1,500 students bused to campus; students were able to
take care of any busing questions during LHS Ready instead of at
the start of the academic year.
 Summer program teachers continued as their teachers during the
academic year.
 As their LHS Ready teachers were also their academic year
teachers, there was continuous follow-up during the academic year.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
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Preliminary Success
School
grade 9
4 Yr
grade 9
Year
retention Graduation
retentions
%
Rate
Business
Management 2010
and Finance
Year
grade 9
retentions
grade 9
4 Yr
retention Graduation
%
Rate
57
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44.1
2014
20
16.8
77.7
2010
44
22.8
56.3
2014
5
3.5
85.8
Performing
2010
Arts Academy
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31.8
56.8
2014
12
7.7
82.4
Health and
Human
Services
The summer programming is just a slice of the pie which has undergone
dramatic change since receivership; other things that have contributed are
extended instructional hours, vacation instructional academies, evening credit
recovery, alternative programming (Phoenix Academy Lawrence & High School
Learning Center), etc.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
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THANK YOU!
Contact:
Juan Rodriguez juan.rodriguez@lawrence.k12.ma.us
To hear from the youth themselves!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFxTJQmOKEM
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education