This summer, the NYC Department of Education will provide academic support to approximately 177,700 students with remote summer learning. This adjusted summer learning model will offer education and services to students with disabilities and provide academic support and additional time to the students not yet mastering grade-level standards.
The students are as follows:
- 67,000 students in grades three to eight,
- 83,000 students in grades nine to twelve,
- 27,700 students with individualized education programs and special education students
In line with previous policy and practice, promotion decisions are based on a holistic review of a student’s progress toward meeting the standards for their grade level. Teachers will use the full school year to make these determinations. If a school requires a student to attend summer learning, their promotion to the next grade is contingent on demonstrating sufficient progress in summer coursework. Additionally, a new cohort of students who are not in jeopardy of being retained but could use some additional help to prepare for the next school year will also be offered summer learning.
Schools will begin to notify families in June if their student is being recommended or required to participate in summer learning. This timeline is the same as previous years.
In grades 3-8, students recommended for retention will be required to attend summer school. Teachers will use a holistic review of student work to make these determinations. In grade 8, students must also receive passing grades in ELA, math, science, and social studies classes to be promoted in June.
This year, in grades 3-8, students may still be recommended, but not required, to attend summer learning based on their individual needs for additional academic support as determined by their teacher and principal. These students will still be promoted to the following grade, but will greatly benefit from additional academic support that will accelerate learning and ensure they can enter the next year fully ready for success.
In grades 9-12, students who need to complete a course and earn credits required for graduation, either because they received a “course in progress” or a failure prior to this semester, are required to attend summer learning to complete their coursework. They will also have the opportunity to complete these courses from September 2020 through January 2021.
Programming will run in three time frames:
Students with 12-month IEP services will participate in remote summer programming from July 1 to August 13, five days a week. They will receive instruction and related services based on their IEPs.
Students in grades 3-8 will attend summer learning via remote instruction from July 13 to August 18. Students will engage four days a week, receiving ELA and/or math support via live or pre-recorded instruction, self-paced activities, and small group and 1:1 check-ins. Grade 8 students may attend summer learning in math, ELA, social studies, and/or science, as proficiency in those subjects is contingent on beginning high school.
Students in grades 9-12 who have a Course in Progress, or who need to retake a course they failed in a prior term, will participate in remote instruction from July 13 to August 21. Students will engage five days a week for six weeks in subjects they did not pass. They will have individual check-ins with teachers, guidance counselors and/or social workers.
All students participating in programs will have opportunities to go on virtual field trips to zoos, museums and cultural institutions and engage in daily community building and social emotional learning activities. Additionally, the City is exploring ways to provide summer learning and activities for all students.
Regional Enrichment Centers will continue to operate throughout the summer, and students who are enrolled in a summer program and who attend a REC will engage in remote learning at the REC site.
Families can still request a remote learning device for their child by calling 311. 284,000 devices have been delivered to students so far.
More information about the Department of Education’s grading policies can be found here.
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