DETROIT – Detroit Public Schools Community District is opening its doors as the go-to for summer learning and enrichment -- and any student in Metro Detroit can attend.
It’s part of the district’s attempt to erase any learning deficits created by the COVID pandemic. The district wants to get students back into the habit of in-person learning.
Last year’s decline in student population and engagement is concerning. According to Detroit public schools, 65% of the students were chronically or consistently absent or not engaged in learning.
The COVID pandemic has left a massive learning gap and school officials are trying to get students caught back up. Detroit public schools received COVID relief funding and they’re using some of that money to expand summer school opportunities.
During the pandemic, the district saw a decline of 2,700 students. That’s a loss of $25 million in per-pupil funding. Without the COVID relief funding, it would have been a devastating loss to the district. Instead, the district is able to plan big for the coming academic year, which starts after July 4.
The district will be pushing for credit and course recovery for K-12 in literacy, math and other basic core courses. The district is also launching a program called EDgenuity, an online credit recovery course aimed at high school students to help them earn a high school diploma.
There will also be music, performing arts and athletics courses because the district wants to focus on menta, emotional and social health of students.
If Michigan officials give the OK there will be a separate remote learning academy next year, but it will only be for students who showed the ability to learn remotely. Students who fell behind will be mandated back into the physical classroom.
Click here to learn more about the summer learning experiences.