Focus on Student Achievement: Update on the Extended Learning Program (ELP)

The District established the Extended Learning Program (ELP) to provide increased instructional support and interventions for students during the school year. The major concept of the Extended Learning Program is a proactive approach to meeting students’ needs as soon as the need is apparent. The ELP program includes tutoring before, during, and after school; Saturday Academies; and grade enhancement and/or credit recovery for students who have had difficulty in a core academic course.

Best practices include students and tutors working together to increase student skills, specialized laboratory settings used for remediation, and a creative partnership between high school students and elementary students who work together as part of Saturday Academies.

All District Goals and Critical Success Factors.

Funding for ELP is budgeted through the Supplemental Academic Instruction (SAI) allocation received from the state. ELP funds are assigned to schools based on the number of students at each site who score in the bottom quartile in reading and mathematics on standardized tests. Each school develops a plan for use of ELP funds. Schools may supplement ELP funds through other sources such as school recognition funds, Title I funds, school improvement funds, etc. The total 2005-2006 ELP budget is $5,723,685. This amount is allocated to specific levels as follows: Elementary Schools - $2,546,619; K-8 Schools - $152,241; Middle Schools - $1,550,775; and High Schools - $1,474,050.

The Extended Learning Program is monitored and evaluated annually within the School Improvement Plans. This evaluation includes the intervention strategy as well as a means to monitor student progress.