Gary Moskowitz
GLENDALE -- Summer is quickly approaching, but trips to the mall or
the beach for many students will be replaced by trips to the library.
Mike Seaton, director of instructional support services for the
Glendale Unified School District, estimates about 75% of district
students will be attending summer school in 2002.
Seaton was unable to say what percentage of students expected to
attend summer school are attending for remedial purposes -- to make up
for failed course work. But 54% of students who attended summer school in
2001 attended for remedial purposes, and a similar number is expected in
2002, Seaton said.
"The numbers have been fairly consistent in recent years," he said.
The Glendale Preparatory Academy, which conducts remedial work for
elementary students year round, receives federal funding allotted for
summer school, Seaton said.
About 7,500 high school students and 3,000 middle school students are
expected to attend summer school classes in 2002. Seaton said projections
for elementary enrollment are not yet clear.
School board President Chuck Sambar said both the state and the
district pick up the tab for summer school. The state covers most of the
cost of remedial work, while the district pays more for enrichment
classes.
"It's simple common sense for a child to take advantage of the chance
to get caught up in school," Sambar said. "It's an opportunity to get
back on track that we encourage."
A new feature of 2002 summer school course work will be classes
specifically focused on the California High School Exit Exam. California
students must pass the exam to graduate from high school. Of the Glendale
students who took the exam in March and May of 2001, 76% passed.
Students enrolled in exit exam classes in math or language arts this
summer will work off of test blueprints provided by the state, Seaton
said.
Summer school classes at Glendale high schools and at Rosemont Middle
School will go from June 24 to Aug. 2. Classes at Roosevelt, Toll and
Wilson middle schools will go from July 1 to Aug. 9.
Summer school classes at elementary schools on standard schedules will
go from June 24 to Aug. 2.
For more information on summer school classes, contact local schools
directly or the district offices at 241-3111.
