PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia students who failed a class — or weren't able to finish a course for whatever reason — have returned to school for the summer, trying to earn those final credits to graduate.
Across the district, about 2,700 students are attending credit recovery classes — more than 400 are high school seniors. Associate Superintendent Tomas Hanna said the six-week summer programs are designed to provide concentrated support for students.
“Teachers knowing their students and understanding, like, where are the gaps and what is it that they need to be focusing on,” he said, “so they can use that as a high-leverage type of opportunity to get to the skills that they really need.”
Students can earn two credits in person and a third if necessary from the district's Philadelphia Virtual Academy to secure enough for graduation. About 130 students have signed up for an additional online course.
Superintendent Tony Watlington dropped into a summer drumline program at the School of the Future in the Parkside neighborhood, where many students had only recently picked up their first drumsticks.
“Kids just became acquainted with each other just three weeks ago,” he said, “and how great do they sound already.”
Watlington said students involved in the arts have better attendance and better academic performance.
Altogether, the district expects nearly 400 students will earn enough credits this summer to graduate.
