CONTACTS: Superintendent Chuck Bugge
(cbugge@hoodriver.k12.or.us); Terry Vann and Catherine Brown, academy administrators
Phone: (503) 386-2511
Web Site: http://www.schools.gorge.net/hrcsd/BACKGROUND: Hood River County realized that some
students simply needed more time to learn skills needed to reach the new state standards.
With the support of his staff and community, Supt. Chuck Bugge organized a new remedial
program last year called the Hood River Summer Academy. It wasn’t like the typical
summer school, where students attend classes for "enrichment" or to have fun
– or, as Bugge puts it, take "like school" courses. It focuses on students
reaching the state benchmark standards.
WHAT THEY DID: Students in grades 3-8
who had the lowest (bottom 20 percent) state test scores were given the opportunity to
enroll in the academy’s four-week, six-hour-a-day program. Migrant students who left
mid-way through the year and returned later were also invited (They represent about six
percent of Hood River’s enrollment.). Parents were contacted and enrollment was by
invitation only. Bugge ended up with a waiting list because he could only serve 300
students. This summer he hopes to serve 400. Class size was limited to 20 students with
one teacher and one aide. Instruction focused on strengthening the weakest benchmarks at
each grade level based on the previous year’s state test scores. Transportation and
breakfast and lunch was provided. Many of the academy teachers were new last year and
received special training on teaching skills to help students reach state academic
benchmarks.
FUNDING BLEND: While Hood River has a
strong minority population "no one was singled out as a ‘migrant’ or
‘low achiever,’" Bugge said. Funding was a blend of state basic education
allocation, alternative education funds, funds for special education and migrant
education, and Educational Act for the 21st Century grants.
PHILOSOPHY: "We had to do something
different," Bugge said. "It’s my personal belief that we need a longer
school year. You can’t take the same kids, the same days and the same resources and
expect all students to reach new standards. Simply stated, we need to spend more time with
some students. I’m lucky to have the staff that makes this academy successful."
Bugge apologizes for not having tests results yet to demonstrate how the program is
working. "We have some very positive anecdotal information, but to really determine
long-term results will take several years." |
