the school district of philadelphia dr. arlene c. ackerman, superintendent summer learning and more...

The School District of PhiladelphiaDr. Arlene C. Ackerman, Superintendent

Summer Learning and More

(S.L.A.M.) 2010

The School District of PhiladelphiaPenny Nixon

Associate Superintendent for Schools

David Weiner

Associate Superintendent Academics, Curriculum and Accountability

Tomas Hanna

Associate Superintendent for Academic Support


The overall purpose of Summer Learning and More (S.L.A.M.) was to provide skills

development, credit recovery in core subject areas, and enrichment opportunities, resulting

in an increase in student achievement, mitigation of summer learning loss, and an increase in promotion and graduation rates.

The Vision


Summer Scope Summer Academy

• High Needs schools (Empowerment, Renaissance Eligible and Renaissance Alert Schools)

Summer Program

• Non-High Needs schools (Non-Empowerment and Vanguard Schools)

Extended School Year (ESY)

• Low incidence special education students

Summer Bridge Transition Program

• 8th Grade students transitioning to 9th grade

• Elementary students transitioning to middle school buildings


Summer Overview

127 sites

• 109 High Needs Elementary, Middle and High Schools

• 18 Non-High Needs Elementary/Middle schools –strategically placed

58,511 students in grades PreK through 12 participated in this year’s summer programs - 33% of total enrollment

• Summer 2009 - 23,758 participants -14% of total enrollment

• Participants mirrored the diversity of the District

3,400 Teachers

• Including grade teachers, high school content teachers, and specialist teachers

• Student teacher ratio 20:1


Program Participants

18.3% were identified as having an active IEP*.

9.9% were identified as English Language Learners*.

Almost one quarter (22.2%) of high school program participants were first-time 9th grade students in 2009-2010.

*These proportions are higher than the District-wide proportions.


2010 S.L.A.M. Program Attendance1

Grade Level Number of Participants Average Daily Attendance

PreK 827 73.0%

K 3,175 79.9%

1 4,410 82.0%

2 4,019 82.8%

3 3,641 82.5%

4 3,266 81.7%

5 3,278 81.4%

6 2,812 78.9%

7 3,087 79.3%

1These data are based on participants who attended at least 5 days of the program.


2010 S.L.A.M. Program Attendance1

Grade Level Number of Participants Average Daily Attendance

8 2,220 80.2%

9 3,243 79.3%

10 2,878 81.3%

11 2,225 83.2%

12 989 82.7%



Program Outcomes:Grades 3-81

Scores on the May and October Predictive Assessments were standardized by converting them to Normal Curve Equivalents (NCEs) to allow for comparisons in performance from pre- to post-summer.

The 2010 S.L.A.M. Program was effective in mitigating summer learning loss among participants.

Program participants in both Empowerment and Non-Empowerment schools evidenced significantly greater gains in reading and math achievement than matched comparison peers who did not participate in summer programming.



Program Outcomes: ReadingEmpowerment Grades 3-81


*Group differences were statistically significant.

S.L.A.M. Participants*

Non-Participants*

-0.3

-0.2

-0.1

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

Mea

n C

hang

e in

NC

E P

oint

s


Program Outcomes: MathEmpowerment Grades 3-81




Non-Participants*

-0.6

-0.4

-0.2

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

1.4

1.6

Mea

n C

hang

e in

NC

E P

oint

s


Program Outcomes: ReadingNon-Empowerment Grades 3-81




Non-Participants*

-0.8

-0.6

-0.4

-0.2

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

Mea

n C

hang

e in

NC

E P

oint

s


Program Outcomes: MathNon-Empowerment Grades 3-81




Non-Participants*

-0.8

-0.6

-0.4

-0.2

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

Mea

n C

hang

e in

NC

E P

oint

s


Program Outcomes:Grade 81

66.8% of 8th grade participants earned 1 credit.

Another 5.4% earned 0.5 credit.



Program Outcomes:Grades 9 - 12

This summer, high school students were afforded an opportunity to earn up to 3 credits during S.L.A.M.

On average, participants earned an additional 2 credits toward graduation.

• 37.4% of participants earned 1 to 1.5 credits toward graduation.

• 27.8% of participants earned 2 credits toward graduation.

• 19.3% of participants earned 3 credits toward graduation.

A total of 597 students graduated as a result of their participation in the 2010 S.L.A.M. Program.


Parent and Student Beliefs about SLAM

Over 80% of high school students reported that the courses offered at their school were aligned with student needs.

Overall, 78.6% of parents/guardians reported that they were satisfied with the academic component of summer school and that participation was helpful in preparing their child for the next grade.

72.8% of parents/guardians rated the enrichment/elective component as “good” or “excellent”.


Parent and Student Beliefs about SLAM

A large majority of students (87.7%) reported that teachers in the S.L.A.M. program helped them understand the course material.

Over three-quarters of students reported that through their participation in enrichment programming they learned new skills and discovered new talents

Over three-quarters of principals and teachers rated academic programs for rising 9th graders to be effective for those students who successfully completed the necessary requirements to pass 8th grade.

the school district of philadelphia dr. arlene c. ackerman, superintendent summer learning and more...

Documents