Summer Learning Opportunities Attract 10,000 Enrolled Students
Updated July 10, 2008
Nearly 10,000 students are enrolled in Plano ISD summer school programs, which are being held on 23 campuses district wide. Here, we highlight some of these popular programs.
Learning is a Family Affair in Plano ISD
For the past seven years, Plano Family Literacy has rolled out a summer program for the families who are enrolled during the regular school year.
 Director Jane Lilliston reports that, for six weeks this summer, families have had fun continuing their education by reading books, enjoying visits from Jim Dunlap from the Plano ISD Living Materials Center, going on field trips and participating in arts and crafts.
"Everything has a literacy component, even the 'dance' class has been quite an experience," said Ms. Lilliston. "Parents and children spend some time every week in separate classes learning as well as participating in an ILA (Interactive Literacy Activity) where both parents and children learn together."
Children have been busy with “picture finds” and "painting” and listening to music and writing their own books. Adults continue their adult lessons and are involved in grammar, math and life skills.
 The older school-age children and parents have all participated in an art class in which they have used various mediums and methods to draw replications of such famous artists as Picasso and more. Volunteers come to school each day to assist staff with both academic and fun activities, said Ms. Lilliston. Groups that have been involved include Young Men’s Service League, National Charity League, National Honor Society and the Plano Library System.
For more information about the Family Literacy Program, contact (469) 752-2252, visit the website, or e -mail: Janie.Margulies@pisd.edu.
Elementary Programs
Bilingual learners are pictured at Harrington Elementary School.
Bilingual / English as a Second Language
Bilingual/ESL programs are designed to meet the needs of students with limited English proficiency. In the prekindergarten summer school program, instruction focuses on language development, academic and social skills. The kindergarten program is designed to develop language and to accelerate  academic skills in reading, writing and math. Both of these programs are free for Limited English Proficient students who will be entering kindergarten or first grade bilingual/ESL class in the fall of 2008.
A new summer pilot program entitled "Project SAIL" has been developed in conjunction with the multilingual department and focuses on accelerating language acquisition for second-language learners in grades one and two.
Plano Enrichment Program (PEP)
 Some 1,400 students are enrolled the Plano Enrichment Program (PEP), attending more than 30 varied enrichment classes in addition to reinforcement classes for language arts and math.
According to Mark Allen, Plano ISD director of student services, courses were added to the PEP program this year, in conjunction with the school district's gifted and talented department, as an extension of the district's "Discover Program" offered during the regular school year.
The student and family services department collaborated with the academic services department to build classes for on-level students who may be struggling in reading, writing or math.
 Summer Institute for Gifted Students (SIGS)
The "Summer Institute for Gifted Students," with more than 1,800 students enrolled, challenges learners in grades 1-7 and who are currently enrolled in the PACE (Plano Academic and Creative Education) program. Students in grades 1-4 choose from classes involving math, science, Caldecott stories, creative writing, foreign languages, art, drama, project building and multimedia project construction. Middle school students enrolled in courses such as humanities, science, mathematics, social sciences, and/or computer training.
Plano Academy of Learning (PAL)
The Plano Academy of Learning (PAL) is for students in grades K through 5. The program targets instruction for acceleration of skills in reading, writing and/or math. Students who qualify for this focused instruction are recommended by their teacher.
Special Education
Camp Tejas for students with special needs in grades K-8 offers a camp-like format to enhance communication and independence through a variety of activities. Strategic Reading, for students in grades 1-5, is a continuous progress reading program for students currently receiving special education services and who experience difficulty learning to read and write.
Secondary Programs
Middle School
The Middle School Summer School Program is designed for students in grades 6 to 8 who have not mastered the essential knowledge and skills of the required courses of English, Math, Social Studies or Science. This program is streamlined to concentrate on academic mastery.
Director Mark Allen noted that, on the district's five high school campuses, eighth grade students worked on high school readiness skills as well as remediation of failed courses. "In addition to course failures, we have students on these campuses that have failed reading or math TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) state-mandated tests," said Mr. Allen. "This is the first year that students in the eighth grade must pass the reading and math TAKS to be promoted to ninth grade."
On July 1 and 2, students who have failed will have their third and final opportunity to pass. Mr. Allen noted that, for students who have passed TAKS and only failed one middle school class, the district is piloting a program in conjunction with the eSchool department to provides them with the opportunity to earn credit for HS health using the districts on-line health curriculum.
 High School
More than 4,000 courses are offered in the summer program for high school students. The district is also piloting a program at Vines and Williams high schools, in conjunction with the curriculum department, to help prepare struggling math students with Algebra I next year.
eSchool (Online Courses)
Ongoing registration allows students in grades 9-12 to enroll in eSchool, Plano ISD's popular online program of courses. More than 2,900 students have registered for eSchool courses this school year, and another 250 students are expected to enroll before summers end, according to Jean Parmer, eSchool coordinator.
The 100 master teachers who guide and instruct students online are the strength of eSchool, said Ms. Parmer, whose office processes 15 to 30 online eSchool registrations per day. Most students enroll in economics, government and physics, which are among 34 courses offered for graduation credit.
During summer months, enrollment peaks as students take advantage of offerings in the core subjects of English, social studies, math, and science as well as electives. Four non-credit courses are available, and several additional courses are in development or under revision.
Since its inception in February, 2001, Plano ISDs eSchool has enabled more than 11,000 students to take high school courses online, on their own time, wherever access is available to the Internet and a computer. Students enrolled in eSchool have achieved an overall passing rate of 98 percent.
For more information, visit planoisdeschool.net.
Related Link
Photos: Plano Family Literacy & Debby Spitzer, PISD Communications
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