Board approves 2024 Camp U evaluation after presentation showing targeted enrollments and steady gains
Loading...
Summary
After a program evaluation presentation from Susan Hill, the board approved the 2024 Summer Learning (Camp U) evaluation; the report highlighted targeted enrollment (233 at Pershing), expanded multilingual supports (28 learners), intervention outcomes and plans to boost elementary attendance.
The University City Board of Education approved the 2024 Summer Learning Academy (Camp U) program evaluation after a presentation from program evaluator Susan Hill.
Susan Hill told the board the district served 233 students at Pershing Elementary and intentionally reduced overall summer enrollment to focus spots on students with academic needs. "Over 90 percent of the students that we served in Camp U at Pershing Elementary were identified as students who could benefit greatly from some additional support in math and reading," Hill said. She noted the program added a staff member to support multilingual learners and that 28 participants were multilingual learners this year.
Hill outlined outcome data and operational changes: 44 students had reading success plans supported by two reading specialists, but nine of those students were chronically absent and did not demonstrate growth; students who attended regularly showed measurable gains. Middle school enrollment and attendance increased (attendance about 88.8 percent) after the district added staff, and high school summer school attendance exceeded 90 percent with most students who attempted credit recovery earning credit. Hill also reported that 26 students earned between 0.5 and 1.0 college credits through newly offered dual-credit summer courses.
The presentation described changes to enrollment procedures — invitations prioritized students with demonstrated need rather than an open sign-up window — and curricular adjustments to expand math intervention for elementary students and to shift middle-school math toward priority-standard lessons for all participants.
Board members praised the program. One member thanked Hill for a "comprehensive overview by grade level or building," and another highlighted the district's outreach to families of English learners. After a motion by Staten and a second by Bernstein, the board voted to approve the program evaluation.
The action was recorded as approved; the board did not make additional budget or staffing commitments during the vote. The district said it will continue to refine enrollment and attendance strategies and bring further data on year-to-year growth at a future meeting.
