September 10, 2005

Moberly Students Improving
by Amy Compney, reporter

The Moberly School District's 888 summer school students this year recorded a 37.9% improvement in reading and a 77.7% improvement in mathematics, according to Newton Learning.

Newton Learning partnered with the Moberly School District in operating its summer school program, a relationship it had this year with 88 other Missouri school districts with a total summer school enrollment of almost 51,000 students.

Student achievement was evaluated in a criterion-referenced examination developed to measure specific student progress against summer school academic goals.

Newton Learning also conducted a satisfaction study among the parents of Moberly summer school students and found 93.4% said they would recommend the Newton Summer Adventure program to other parents.  A total of 395 local parent families responded to the survey.

Newton Learning works with the individual school districts to develop customized summer school programs that meet the needs of their students.  The company provides the teaching materials and uses local teachers and administrators to conduct the classes.

"The success of the Moberly program is a reflection of the school board, administration and teachers' commitment to providing students with a summer school curriculum that encouraged thought and academic progress.  We are very pleased with the results and our partnership with Moberly School District," said Larrie Reynolds, Newton president.

Tim Roehling, assistant superintendent of student services for the Moberly District, served as principal for the 6 through 12 grades attending summer school.

"It was a great, challenging curriculum for the kids," he said.

He described the program as working on problem-solving skills, enhancing MAP Skills and getting kids focused for the upcoming school year.

Roehling said the district was really happy with Newton, stating they focus heavily on Missouri standards in curriculum. The district, he said, is also really happy with the results of the program. He explained that kids in summer school were pre-tested the second day of class and tested again the second to the last day of class. Average pre-test scores in math were 57.2; average scores in the second test were 101.6, a growth rate of 77.7 percent.

Roehling said he hopes the improved scores lead to improvements on MAP scores overall. He stated that the district will most likely have summer school again next year; enrollment is open to anyone in the district.

Newton Learning is a private firm that specializes in conducting summer school and after-school learning programs. It also works with school districts in meeting the requirements of No Child Left Behind, a Federal program developed to elevate individual schools and school districts that do not achieve adequate yearly progress in their educational programs.