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Summerbridge Dayton was held at Wright State University during July 2008. A total of 32 rising eighth grade
ninth grade students attended the enrichment program. Personnel for the program included 8 student teachers, 1 mentor teacher,
a program director, and assistant director.
BACKGROUND:
Summerbridge Dayton is a cooperative effort between Wright State University and Dayton Public Schools. It is a two-summer, all expense paid academic program for rising eighth and ninth graders who have good academic potential. The students must choose to apply to be a Summerbridge Dayton participant based on a desire to improve his or her academic performance and self-development. The middle school participants have the opportunity to meet monthly and to return the next summer to complete the program.
The Summerbridge Dayton program is modeled after Summerbridge programs at forty sites across the United States and Hong Kong. The first program began in 1978 at San Francisco's University High School.
The program's goals are twofold: (1) to empower motivated students to succeed and do well in high school programs, which will provide a strong foundation for college attendance; and, (2) to encourage talented high school and college students to fully experience the challenges, exhilaration and realities of teaching, while encouraging them to prepare for careers in education.
The high school and college students who teach in the program are given the opportunity to plan their curriculum and to be "in charge" of a classroom of eight students after an intensive week-long training program. Under the supervision of trained teachers and program directors, the student teachers feel the exhilaration of helping children learn, as well as conduct student advising, special events, and enrichment activities. Many who teach in the program go on to choose education as a career.
SUMMER PROGRAM:
The summer program was housed on Wright State University's campus. Each student took four academic morning courses (e.g., language arts, math, science, and social studies) and two afternoon electives (e.g., kickball, Spanish, drama, swimming, journalism, and Wright CANVAS (art)). Class sizes were small, with no more than 10 students per class. The work was demanding, skill based, and designed to prepare students for success and graduation from high school. All students completed at least one hour of homework each night to reinforce study skills (e.g., note taking, active reading, and techniques for effective test taking). Creativity, leadership, and positive risk-taking were also emphasized both in and out of the classroom.
FUNDING:
The tuition-free program provides students with bus transportation to and from Wright State University; a light breakfast and nourishing lunch; all academic materials; instruction in language arts, social studies, math, science, and two electives. The two-year commitment also includes monthly Saturday sessions and other enrichment activities.
SUMMERBRIDGE DAYTON PROGRAM:
Summerbridge Dayton students attended Belle Haven, Cleveland, Patterson-Kennedy, Stivers, Valerie, Jefferson Township, Trotwood Middle, Weisenborn, Richard Allen, Mary Queen of Peace, Precious Blood, and St. Rita schools.
The staff represented graduate and undergraduate students from Wright State University and Sinclair Community College.
Summerbridge Dayton offers a neutral location at Wright State University's main campus. The program is designed to help students bridge educational, spatial, and cultural gaps they may experience within Dayton communities. In a 1996 article written for the Review of Educational Research, the authors stated that “low-income children and youth experience greater summer learning losses than their higher income peers. Income plays a powerful role in determining the magnitude of summer loss. On average, children from low-income families lose nearly three months of grade-level equivalency, compared to one month lost by middle-income children when reading and math performance are combined”.
Due to the cultural differences of both school districts, each student brought a wealth of experience, talent, and interest to the Summerbridge Dayton family. Through the rigorous and enriching academic environment, the students have the opportunity to learn study skills, to improve their self-esteem, and to develop leadership skills that can be used in their schools and within their communities.
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