Summer Bridge Program
for Rising Grade 9
Students
College & Career Readiness
Webinar Series
November 12, 2013
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Agenda
• Part I: Current state of grade 9 students in MA
• Part II: Research on 9th grade
• Part III: Summer bridge program example - Attleboro
• Q&A and discussion
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Part I: Current State of
Grade 9 Students in
Massachusetts
Across the state, over 20% of 9th graders fail at
least one course
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Grade 9 Courses Completed and Not Passed
Status of All Courses
No Courses Completed
Completed and Passed
Completed and Not Passed
Total
# of Completed
Courses Not Passed
1
2
3
4
5 or more
# of Students
304
55,302
16,599
72,205
% of Students
0.4%
76.6%
23%
100%
Percent of Students Not
Passing All Courses
N= 16,599
38.0%
18.9%
11.9%
10.8%
20.4%
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Grade 9 Course Results by Subgroup
Subgroup
White
Black/ Afr. Amer.
Asian
Hispanic
Multi Race, non Hispanic
Low Income
LEP
Students with disabilities
High Needs
Total
48,918
6,423
3,982
11,062
1,578
26,257
4,032
11,679
32,366
All Courses Passed
#
39,985
4,091
3,507
6,385
1,163
16,040
2,185
7,358
20,733
%
81.7%
63.7%
88.1%
57.7%
73.7%
61.1%
54.2%
63.0%
64.1%
Not All Courses
Passed
#
%
8,933
18.3%
2,332
36.3%
475
11.9%
4,677
42.3%
415
26.3%
10,217
38.9%
1,847
45.8%
4,321
37.0%
11,633
35.9%
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Grade 9 Courses Not Passed by Content Areas
Course Name
Algebra I:
Algebra I; Algebra I Part I; Algebra I Part II
Geometry
Biology:
Biology; Biology-Advanced Studies
ELA:
Gr. 9-12 ELA; GR. 9/10 English/ Literature
Physics:
Physics; Physics-Advanced Studies
World History:
World Hist. Overview; Modern World Hist.;
World Hist. and Geography
US History:
US Hist.-Comprehensive; Early US Hist.
Total Students
Completing Course
#
Not
Passed
%
Not
Passed
39,914
5,274
13.2%
17,572
403
2.3%
36,554
2,582
7.1%
64,548
4,129
6.4%
10,398
1,217
11.7%
36,536
2,162
5.9%
18,123
1,607
8.9%
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
1 in 10 first time 9th graders are not promoted
to 10th grade
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Following a cohort of 9th graders 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
Part II: Research on 9th
Grade
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
Part III: Summer bridge
program example Attleboro
Attleboro Public Schools
Summer Transition to High School
The goal of the program is to help students
accelerate their academic skills over the
summer, build relationships, and form
meaningful connections to the High School
which will support a smooth transition into
school in September.
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Students Served
 The grade 8 target population is students that have received a
warning or needs improvement on the MCAS, lack motivation,
have poor attendance, are struggling academically, socially
and/or emotionally in school, and need to form a meaningful
connection to school.
 EWIS data, classroom teacher, coaches, adjustment counselor,
ELL/McKinney Vento and Title I Coordinators and the 5-8 SPED
Coordinator recommendations are used to ensure that all
students that are at risk will be invited to participate in the
summer program.
 Usually, 180 students are invited and about 35 attend.
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Relationship Building
Program
Staffing
Parents
Community
Building
Team
Work
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Program Features
 Qualified/certified staff
2 Math
2 ELA
2 Team Building / Study Skills
1 Paraprofessional
received paid individual and common planning time before and
during the programs.
Program ran for 3 weeks, Monday – Thursday from 9-12. All of the
students were engaged, moving and learning
The program was held in air-conditioned rooms at Attleboro High School
Transportation was provided both ways for the students that were
eligible for it.
3 concentrated learning communities that focus on Reading & Writing,
Math, and Study Skills/ Team Building activities.
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
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Engaging High Interest Academic Activities
Math
Reading & Writing
Communication & Problem Solving
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Team Building Activities
Setting individual and team goals
Provide students a safe and challenging
opportunity to work together
Develop collaboration and communication
skills
Ability to address conflict in a proactive way
Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
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Successes to Date
 Parent/student contract – students followed what was outlined in
the contract 95% of the time
 Small group instruction with engaging hands-on standards based
activities and qualified staff
 Relationship building between students and teachers
 Parent/student meetings – 95% attendance on the first day
and only 80% on the last day.
 99% student attendance rate
 Team building activities, along with positive interaction and
participation
 During the parent meeting on the last day, on their own, 75% of
the students sat up front with each other.
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Challenges to Date
How can we keep all students engaged in their
learning and connect their learning with real
life situations that mean something to them in
their current lives/situations?
How can we ensure that teachers keep the
students engaged and understand the
meaning of project based learning that excites
students and makes them want to learn?
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Advice for Other Districts
 Required parent meeting on the first day of the program is very
effective. All parents and students heard the goals of the program
and the anticipated outcomes at the same time. All families
heard, read and signed the parent/student contract that laid out
all of the expected rules and the consequences.
 Also having a parent/student meeting on the last day has been
beneficial for families. Having staff from the High School talk to
all the families about the different supports, programs and people
that are available to help their children.
 Team Building activities
 Video shows student participation, cooperation, determination,
happiness, and confidence
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Next Steps
Train six student peer leaders to work
alongside teachers in presenting curriculum to
upcoming 9th graders
Develop a workshop for parents to attend,
focusing on expectations of a parent in high
school
Technology the pro’s and con’s
Motivational speaker, graduate of AHS
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
For more information…
 Susan LeVine
Title I and K-12 Academic Support Coordinator
Slevine@attleboroschools.com
(508)222-0012 ext: 1355
 Martin Tighe
Dean / SWS Coordinator
Mtighe@attleboroschools.com
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary
Education
Questions or Comments?
Upcoming opportunities:
 Collaborative Partnership for Student Success (CPSS) Competitive
Academic Support Grant:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/grants/grants14/rfp/619-592.html
 College & Career Readiness Webinars:
Date
Title
December 17, 2013 CCR: Integration of the Academic, Workplace Readiness, and
Personal/ Social Domains
January 21, 2014
Individual Learning Plans
February 25, 2014
Graduation and Dropout Rate Data
March 18, 2014
Structured Learning Time: Extended Day, 990, and Alternative
Structures
April 15, 2014
Transition for Students with Disabilities
May 20, 2014
MassCore
June 10, 2014
Early College Designs
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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