The 2020-21 school year is winding down, and teachers in Alamance-Burlington Schools are working extra hours to get students ready for high-stakes tests and on track for graduation.
Eight middle and high schools have tutoring for students on Saturdays, with transportation, and schools are offering office hours and “intervention periods” after school for those who can’t, or won’t, go to school on Saturday, according to Revonda Johnson, chief secondary officer with ABSS. The focus is on End of Course and End of Grade tests, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses and help for seniors making up the work they need to graduate in June.
“We are hopeful we will see course passage rates go up and assessment scores meet or exceed proficiency with our tutoring,” Johnson wrote. “Until results come back, we will not know.”
Alamance-Burlington Schools offering tutoring
- Graham Middle
- Southern Middle
- Alamance-Burlington Early College
- Eastern High
- Graham High
- Southern High
- Western High
- Williams High
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It has been hard to know how far students have fallen behind with a year of remote learning because the tests used to track that are conducted in person, and not all students have yet taken them. But results that are available show English grades stable, as the Times-News reported in March, but math and science scores falling by 10 points or more, according to incomplete results, shared with the state Board of Education early in March.
While the state now requires the district to offer school five days a week for elementary school students, ABSS middle and high school students only have the option to be in classrooms two days a week.
The state is now requiring all districts to offer six weeks of in-person summer school, with transportation and lunch, to help make up some of that learning loss. Students considered at risk of being held back will be invited first and others will be admitted as space allows.
Academically, the focus for elementary school students will be science, math and reading for third graders; middle school students will focus on reading, math and science; and high school students will focus on EOC test subjects and make-up work. There will be time for other activities like art, music or sports, which one will be up to each school. “Social emotional learning” will also be part of the day. The psychological impact of remote learning and isolation is a major concern among educators,
Isaac Groves is the Alamance County government watchdog reporter for the Times-News and the USA Today Network. Call or text 919-998-8039 with tips and comments or follow on Twitter @TNIGroves.
