Presented By Atomic Speedway
The program has been developed in conjunction with school staff, and is being taught by Paint Valley Elementary teachers. Jump Start includes specific instruction in both reading and math, with science and social studies being integrated into these other subjects. Jump Start classes started in June and will run through July.
The Chillicothe-Ross Community Foundation in partnership with Paint Valley Elementary School is responding to educational needs in early elementary children, some of which have been magnified by the pandemic, with a pilot summer literacy program called- “Jump Start”.
In addition to classroom instruction, children will be provided both breakfast and lunch and will participate in enrichment activities each day. Meals will be provided through a partnership with Ross County Community Action. Partners for the enrichment activities will include Bainbridge Fire Department, Paxton EMS, YMCA of Ross County, PVHS Science Department, Tecumseh, Chillicothe Paints and Ross County Parks Department.
Research indicates that low-income students lose more than two months of reading achievement during the summer school break, slowing their progress toward third grade reading proficiency. This loss also exacerbates the achievement gap between them and their middle-class peers, who generally make achievement gains in reading during the summer months. By fifth-grade, low-income students are generally 2.5 – 3 years behind their middle-class peers. Both the “summer slide” and the overall achievement gap are expected to be larger in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 74% of students who fail to read proficiently by the end of third grade falter in the later grades and often drop out before earning a high school diploma.
High-quality summer learning programs are shown to reduce the “summer slide” and decrease the achievement gap between low-income and middle-income students. The most effective programs are taught by experienced instructors utilizing designated curriculum in both reading and math and include enrichment activities beyond classroom learning.
The success of the program will be determined by comparing spring state test scores with fall state test scores for each participating student.
Wow, Our Super Star Elementary Educators and Administration! So proud of them and our parents for bringing their kids to participate in this program. And thank you for sharing this great story.