Worried about the summer slide? Summer learning loss has always been a concern among administrators. Though students have certainly learned new skills this past year, pandemic learning has also exposed and exacerbated deep inequities in our education system.

Now more than ever, offering students credit recovery and skill-building opportunities before the 2021–2022 school year is imperative. Fortunately, due to this year’s unique circumstances, GEERS allocations will be available to help school leaders provide their students with summer learning options to combat learning loss.

Here are a few ways you can use GEERS funds to provide summer learning options from Michigan Virtual to families in your school community:

1. Set up an online summer program at your school

There are many ways that you can leverage online options to build a highly-effective summer school program that benefits families in your community while being cost-neutral or revenue-positive.

Michigan Virtual offers more than 150 summer courses taught by highly qualified, Michigan-certified instructors. Your students can complete coursework at their own pace across 10 weeks. Many courses are NCAA-approved and offer rolling start dates in June. 

Courses include:

  • World language
  • Science
  • English language arts
  • Social studies
  • Mathematics
  • Visual and performing arts
  • Health and physical education
  • And more!

In addition to customizable course options, schools and districts are eligible for discounted course pricing when they set up a summer partnership agreement.

Visit Michigan Virtual’s website to learn more about how they can help you set up an online summer school program in your school or district.

2. Offer credit recovery options 

Some students need additional time to master course concepts. From practicality to accessibility, there are many reasons why students benefit from taking credit recovery courses over the summer. 

Using Michigan Virtual Essentials courses for credit recovery during the summer is a great way to support students as they get back on track in subjects including:

  • Algebra
  • Geometry
  • English Language Arts
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Economics
  • U.S. Government
  • U.S. History 
  • World History

Because credit recovery students typically need additional support to succeed, these courses are designed to create a highly supportive learning environment for students who need extra help.

3. Help students meet grade-level expectations in math & English

One study found that the average student across all studied grades showed summer learning loss in reading and math, ranging from one to three months of diminished knowledge.

Michigan Virtual’s EdReady Math and English programs mitigate learning loss in these subjects by assessing students’ current knowledge and generating a personalized playlist of interactive lessons to help them catch up to or surpass grade-level expectations.

Not being ready for Algebra is one of the primary reasons students get off cohort for graduation. The EdReady Math program (for grades 4-12) can help keep students on track by targeting gaps in their understanding of key mathematical concepts, including:

  • Factoring
  • Percentages
  • Geometry
  • Concepts in Statistics
  • Solving Equations and Inequalities
  • Quadratic Equations
  • And more!

When NexTech High School of Lansing principal, Jamie Dewitt, piloted EdReady Math, she was surprised how hands-off it could be. After about a month, DeWitt logged in to find that nearly every student had completed their coursework. “There’s something about it that motivated them to keep going,” Dewitt said. “It’s easy for them to not feel overwhelmed when doing an entire course.” 

By contrast, the EdReady English program (for grades 8-12) provides students with the opportunity to practice key reading and writing skills necessary for college and career success, such as:

  • Developing a thesis statement
  • Correcting grammatical errors
  • Using sources in reading and writing
  • And more!

4. Keep students’ language-learning skills sharp

When you don’t use your language skills, you begin to lose them. With Michigan Virtual’s Summer French or German Boost, students go beyond ineffective “skill and drill” practices by completing artificial intelligence-driven activities that are designed to keep their language skills sharp over the summer.

These summer programs are designed for students in grades 8-12 who already have a foundation in either French or German, for example, by having completed one year or more of the language either at their local school or online.

These lessons and activities offer a more rigorous summer program than available in free language learning apps, which tend to be introductory in nature and focused on vocabulary drills rather than true language acquisition.
 

The perfect time to reflect & move forward

The summer is a perfect time for students to reflect and move forward with personalized learning at their own pace. 

This year, it will be even more important than usual for students to have structured learning time to help them keep their minds active, bridge knowledge gaps, and prepare for the next school year.

Former principal of Brighton High School, Henry Vecchioni, shared his experience with Michigan Virtual’s summer programming: 

“We’re seeing more of our advanced students taking summer courses, and we’ve had an increase in early graduates who are getting into college earlier. We’ve gotten to the point where the right kids are taking the right courses.”

Early summer enrollment is encouraged, as Michigan Virtual anticipates higher demand this year. Contact Michigan Virtual today for more information.


Information Provided by Michigan Virtual