Polk outlines expanded summer learning: 738 'Camp Early Bird' seats, Polk State practicum and Summer Bridge changes
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Summary
District staff detailed seven summer-learning programs, including 738 Camp Early Bird seats (June 3–25), a Polk State College practicum partnership, Summer Bridge eligibility potentially widening under Senate Bill 1090, and varied transportation and evaluation plans for ESY and secondary credit recovery.
Polk County School Board members received a multi-program update on March 10 about summer learning offerings that span pre-K transition supports through secondary credit recovery.
Elementary lead Tammy Perrons said Camp Early Bird (June 3–25) focuses on early literacy, language-acquisition routines, social-emotional learning and routines that introduce incoming kindergartners to elementary settings. The program will operate at 14 sites, with 41 classrooms and 738 available seats this year; staff reported last year's demand exceeded seats and generated wait lists.
Perrons also said the district is pursuing a Polk State College partnership to place 10–15 practicum students in summer camps for early-childhood practicum experience. Staff described Camp Early Bird as tech-free for students and differentiated via pre-assessments.
District staff described other offerings: Summer Bridge (a state-funded intervention currently requiring low percentile STAR scores to qualify) may expand eligibility under a proposal in the legislature (presenter cited "Senate bill 1090"). Third-grade summer reading camps will continue with two tracks (Elevate and Step Up) and include retake testing; ESY will remain IEP-driven with five eligibility questions considered by IEP teams. Secondary summer offerings include credit and grade recovery (last year, roughly 3,000 students completed 3,300 courses). Transportation varies by program and is provided when feasible; override options allow families to enroll at the nearest available site.
Board members pressed for measurable outcomes and follow-up data. Presenters said measurable results vary by program (course completion for secondary, promotion/retake pass rates for third grade, early identification of social-emotional needs for Camp Early Bird) and that staff will provide more detailed data summaries.
Next steps: staff will finalize site lists and marketing materials, continue Polk State practicum discussions, and provide additional outcome data requested by the board (including retention/promotion and participation deltas).
