Summer school, computer based instruction draws to a close

Warwick Beacon ·

Toll Gate English teacher Kathy Newman didn’t have to leave her desk to know exactly how the students bent over their Chromebooks were performing. She looked at her computer and could see which ones were keeping pace with the work.

The system, Edgenuity, that also empowers students to complete work on their own at home is being used at this year’s summer school for English and science classes, explains Tim Kane, Toll Gate assistant principal and director of this year’s summer school. Like Newman, Kane can look at his computer and at a glance see what students have completed the work and no longer need to attend classes and those who are falling behind. He also can tell if students are looking to scam the system, claiming they have worked from home when, in fact, all they have done is to log into the system and nothing more.

“It’s really a dashboard of student progress,” he said, opening his computer.

But by no stretch has summer school been reduced to computer interactions. This year’s summer school, which comes to a close on Aug. 1, is based in a far-flung wing of Pilgrim High School. It started with 207 students, but as students complete their course work has dropped to about 150. In addition to English, math and science, the school also offered classes in physical education and health, courses that are required for graduation.

There have been some hot and muggy days, which teachers have countered with fans, and then there were days like this Monday and Tuesday when windows were closed and sweatshirts were the desired attire.

Kane said English and science classes were “maxed out.” Overall, he put the school at capacity given the number of teachers. There is no charge for attending summer school.

“Most are here because they didn’t pass,” he said of the student population. Summer school also enables a student to increase a grade of D to a C.

“No one is here for additional reinforcement,” he said.

For Arturo Cardenas, Edgenuity, was just what he needed to put summer school behind him. After clarifying some points with Newman, he returned to his desk and his computer to complete a quiz. Ten minutes later he was done and excitedly informing Kane he had passed.

Newman, who is accustomed to instructing a class, observed Edgenuity is a “whole new ballgame of doing it this way.”

As for Kane’s take on summer school, “hopefully they’ll see,” he said of the students, “that their hard work pays off and carries them into the school year.”