About the Practice
One of Channel View’s best practices is our Summer Bridge program. The Summer Bridge program targets incoming freshmen and lasts for six weeks during the summer. During this program students have an opportunity to earn one Math and one English credit, which gives them an advantage later on their High School years to take college level courses. The literacy program we chose to implement, Scholastic’s ID Program, developed by Alfred Tatum, was based on culturally relevant pedagogical practices. This program works from the asset (as opposed to “deficit”) model of conceptualizing student capabilities and build upon students’ current skills. In addition to the academic component, youth development and school culture are addressed though participation in team building activities, assemblies with motivational speakers, and celebrating their successes. Students visited colleges in and out of New York City and New York State. For example, last summer our students visited colleges in Washington DC, Maryland, and New York City. Students have an opportunity to acclimate to the school culture, meet their future classmates and their future teachers. Following the Summer Bridge Program students transitioned to their Freshmen Year of High School better prepared and more confident.
Target Population/Total Students:
The target population for the Summer Bridge program is incoming freshmen.
Challenges:
- Budget
- Curriculum Planning
- Consistency in participation due to pre-existing family plans.
How did school overcome challenges?
ESI budget was used for this program. We implemented the Scholastic ID program for ELA during the Summer Bridge. Teachers were trained in this program prior to the beginning of the Summer Bridge. Our staff outreached to parents and explained the importance of consistent participation in order to receive credit.
How will you continue to sustain this practice?
Channel View will make appropriate budget allocations in order make sure that the Summer Bridge program is sustainable in the future. In addition, Channel View will seek funding sources in order to sustain the Summer Bridge program. These sources include grants, additional Federal and State Funding, and others.