SCHOOL’S IN FOR THE SUMMER
Dozens of Detroit schools to remain in session
By Chastity Pratt Dawsey Detroit Free Press Education Reporter
During this time of year, Dominique Washington typically helps around the house and kicks back for summer vacation. But this year, the eighth-grader and 600 or so other students at Brewer Elementary are getting ready to kick-start the next four weeks of the school year.
Even though many schools in the region dismissed for summer break this week, about four dozen Detroit schools remain in session. Detroit Public Schools students at 34 schools the state has identified as “priority schools” because of low performance must attend class until July
12. And at a dozen Detroit schools operated by the Education Achievement Authority, the state reform district, the mandated 11-month school year goes until the first week of August.
It’s the first summer for both programs.
“I was disappointed when I heard about it,” said Dominique, 14. “But I thought about it, and the extended year will help me to study more and maybe strategize and get ready for high school.”
Hands-on learning
At DPS priority schools, students will spend the next month working on technology- and project-based assignments — including field trips — linked to state test standards. Brewer students will plant a garden, do research and multimedia presentations, and publish a newspaper, among other projects.
“Whatever they learned during the school year, they’re going to apply it doing hands-on activities,” said Cecily Wilson, principal at Brewer.
Priority schools — 146 statewide — are those identified as performing in the bottom 5% of schools in the state. These schools must adopt one of four prescript-ed reform models and increase learning time.
DPS is using $15 million of its Title I federal grant funds for low-income students to pay for costs associated with the extended-year program.
DPS also will hold its regular summer school program June 18-July 26 for schools not identified as priority schools. The district hopes to attract non-DPS high school students who need to retake failed courses or who need more credits.
Mari Hadley, whose nephew and grandson attend Neinas Elementary, objects to the extended year. She also is upset that DPS notified parents midyear that priority schools would have a longer school year.
“What is the objective? How do they determine the outcome?” she said. “At the end of the of day, it’s a hodgepodge thrown together to meet requirements of the state.”
Bilal Tawwab, assistant superintendent for DPS, said that after the state released the priority schools list last August, it took DPS officials a few months to figure out how to provide more instructional time. But next “Much time was spent understanding this new piece,” he said. “We elected to make the call for every (priority school). We would like to provide schools with an option” next year.
Few parents have complained, said Wilson, principal at Brewer. “I didn’t get a stink from parents at all. I thought I would, but my parents were elated.”
EAA changes schedule
This summer also is the first extended year for students at EAA schools. The EAA is the state reform district that took control of its first schools this school year — 15 schools in Detroit that also were among the lowest performing 5% in the state.
A 210-day school year was implemented at 12 of the schools. The school year ends Aug. 6 and includes a vacation the week of Fourth of July, said Mary Esselman, deputy chancellor for the EAA. Some high school students may have internships, and eighth-graders will take classes at the high schools, but the next quarter will not resemble summer school.
“It’s going to feel like regular school,” Esselman said. “We’ve been very purposeful about that.”
The three charter schools overseen by the EAA will implement a 210-day school year that will open for students in early August. Seniors at DPS and EAA do not take part in the extended year. DPS graduations occurred this month, and EAA graduations take place over the next two weeks.
Contact Chastity Pratt Dawsey: 313-223-4537 or cpratt@freepress.com
Ken Johnson, left, checks out DeMarco Lawson’s hat Wednesday on crazy hat day at Brewer Academy. The school is gearing up for an extended year until July 12. The longer year will include technology and project-based assignments. PHOTOS BY JESSICA J. TREVINO/DFP
Brewer Academy kindergarten students Antonio Reyes, Kelvone Williams and LaSonja Brown color in an angel on pictures to given to their parents as a thank-you gift.
Brewer Academy kindergarten students Jaliel Baker, left, Cherish Bonner, Antonio Reyes, Kelvone Williams and LaSonja Brown color pictures to give to their parents. JESSICA J. TREVINO/DETROIT FREE PRESS
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