Thursday, September 9, 2004

Bismarck, North County report academic progress, by Chris Cline, Daily Journal Staff Writer, Park Hills, MO.

BONNE TERRE - Two local school districts who participated in the Newton Learning Program as their curriculum for summer school have shown academic progress in both reading and in mathematics following summer classes.

Bismarck and North County both participated in the program for the first time this year. The two local districts were among 65 other Missouri school districts that used the Newton Learning Program.

At the beginning of the summer school session, students were given a pre-test to gauge what the students knew coming into summer classes. At the end the of the summer school term, students were given a post-test to gauge the academic progress they made during summer classes.

North County achieved a 53.2 percent step up in reading and an 87.5 percent increase in mathematics. Bismarck posted a 61.7 percent improvement in reading and a 59.1 percent increase in mathematics.

Ron McCutchen, principal at North County High School, said overall the summer school program was successful.

"It was a lot of work," said McCutchen. "We had a lot more kids than we have ever had before in summer classes. The teachers worked very hard with the kids and engaged kids with the high-motivating lesson plan."

McCutchen said through the Newton Learning Program students who had perfect attendance during the summer term received a $100 gift card. Students who missed one day received a $75 gift card and students who missed two days received a $50 gift card.

Bismarck Superintendent Dr. Damon Gamble said this year's summer school class was the largest Bismarck has ever had.

"Overall we had a very good summer school," said Gamble. "It had a very good curriculum and raised some very good ideas."

Gamble said one reason why there was a substantial improvement in the reading and in mathematics was because the curriculum was well-aligned to what was being tested.

"Normally our summer school consists of 120 hours," said Gamble. Under the Newton plan, we had 168 hours of summer school."

Gamble said the district paid the Newton Learning Program approximately $600 per eligible student for a grand total of $125,000.

"Even though, it cost us nearly $125,000 for this program, we drew almost twice that in state aid," said Gamble.

Both McCutchen and Gamble said they were not sure if their respected districts would participate in the Newton Learning Program for the 2005 summer school term.