Englewood Herald > News
Program helps freshmen catch up academically
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| Instructor Rob Polete, left, works with Tamara Coming on one of the computer-based Compass programs that are part of Englewood's new freshman bridge program. The program helps students who might have struggled with a class or two to catch up academically with classmates as they enter their first year of high school. Photo by Tom Munds |
By Tom Munds
Englewood schools’ new program called the summer bridge offers assistance for incoming ninth-graders who might be struggling in math or reading.
Sheri Anderson, principal intern, said the computer-based Compass Learning program is designed for students whose Measurement of Academic Progress test scores showed they were not proficient in reading or math.
“This system is special because it creates a special program for each student based on MAP scores,” Anderson said. “The system adjusts to the student’s ability as the student progresses at his or her pace. Also, if the student appears to be struggling, the computer program adjusts, providing lessons designed to help the student understand each level before moving on.”
She said the program has been working. For example, the program helped a student who was reading at third-grade level raise her reading to a sixth-grade level.
Thirteen students enrolled in the initial two-week session that ended June 12. There currently 15 incoming freshmen signed up for the next session that begins july 20
Students in the summer bridge program are in class from 8:15 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday. All students are expected to attend all sessions.
The class is made up of computer-prompted lessons. There is a teacher on hand to answer questions or provide other help.
On a typical class day, the student signs in on the computer and his or her specialized program comes up on the screen.
The menu shows the list of lessons for that subject. For example, in math, there are lessons on subjects as varied as number theory, plane geometry and data and statistics.
When the student calls up the lesson, there is a short explanation then a teacher-like character pops up to explain the theory and mechanics of the lesson.
Each student moves through a lesson at an individual pace and, when a lesson is complete, take a teacher-monitored test. A passing grade allows the student to move to the next lesson. But, if the student didn’t make the grade on the test, the program takes the individual through a review of the problem areas.
“This is an excellent program,” Rob Polete explained while his class was taking a short break from the computers. “We have students of very diverse abilities. A couple of the student breezed through the class, passed the test and are done early while others are struggling to complete the work by the end of this session.”
He said the big plus is the computers create a specific program at an individual level for each student so that student can master skills he or she will need in the ninth grade that they didn’t manage to master in the eighth grade.
Nic Carlson, one of the students in the class, said he struggled with language arts in the eighth grade and wanted to get up to speed before starting high school.
He said he likes the classes because it keeps the brain functioning.
“I am learning a lot,” he said. “My reading comprehension is much better and so is my spelling. This is helping me get where I need to be before my freshman classes start in August.”
Classmate Jeff Macklberg said he struggled last school year with math and he feels the program has helped him a lot.
“I think this program is better organized than the lessons we got in the classroom and I find it easier to learn,” he said. “I also like the fact that, if I don’t get a concept, I have the option to keep going over it until I do get it. You can’t do that in a regular classroom.”
He said the math lessons challenge him but he also has fun, too. He said he likes the videos the lessons use have helped him with several math concepts.
“I also like the games we get to play,” he said. “They help me learn and I think this is a great way to teach.”
Sheri Anderson, principal intern, said the computer-based Compass Learning program is designed for students whose Measurement of Academic Progress test scores showed they were not proficient in reading or math.
“This system is special because it creates a special program for each student based on MAP scores,” Anderson said. “The system adjusts to the student’s ability as the student progresses at his or her pace. Also, if the student appears to be struggling, the computer program adjusts, providing lessons designed to help the student understand each level before moving on.”
She said the program has been working. For example, the program helped a student who was reading at third-grade level raise her reading to a sixth-grade level.
Thirteen students enrolled in the initial two-week session that ended June 12. There currently 15 incoming freshmen signed up for the next session that begins july 20
Students in the summer bridge program are in class from 8:15 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday. All students are expected to attend all sessions.
The class is made up of computer-prompted lessons. There is a teacher on hand to answer questions or provide other help.
On a typical class day, the student signs in on the computer and his or her specialized program comes up on the screen.
The menu shows the list of lessons for that subject. For example, in math, there are lessons on subjects as varied as number theory, plane geometry and data and statistics.
When the student calls up the lesson, there is a short explanation then a teacher-like character pops up to explain the theory and mechanics of the lesson.
Each student moves through a lesson at an individual pace and, when a lesson is complete, take a teacher-monitored test. A passing grade allows the student to move to the next lesson. But, if the student didn’t make the grade on the test, the program takes the individual through a review of the problem areas.
“This is an excellent program,” Rob Polete explained while his class was taking a short break from the computers. “We have students of very diverse abilities. A couple of the student breezed through the class, passed the test and are done early while others are struggling to complete the work by the end of this session.”
He said the big plus is the computers create a specific program at an individual level for each student so that student can master skills he or she will need in the ninth grade that they didn’t manage to master in the eighth grade.
Nic Carlson, one of the students in the class, said he struggled with language arts in the eighth grade and wanted to get up to speed before starting high school.
He said he likes the classes because it keeps the brain functioning.
“I am learning a lot,” he said. “My reading comprehension is much better and so is my spelling. This is helping me get where I need to be before my freshman classes start in August.”
Classmate Jeff Macklberg said he struggled last school year with math and he feels the program has helped him a lot.
“I think this program is better organized than the lessons we got in the classroom and I find it easier to learn,” he said. “I also like the fact that, if I don’t get a concept, I have the option to keep going over it until I do get it. You can’t do that in a regular classroom.”
He said the math lessons challenge him but he also has fun, too. He said he likes the videos the lessons use have helped him with several math concepts.
“I also like the games we get to play,” he said. “They help me learn and I think this is a great way to teach.”
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