Caledonia Argus

Title One program to change

Posted: 4/13/04

By David Heiller
Argus News Editor

Title 1 students at Caledonia Elementary school will experience a new program this summer and next year.

Title 1 is a federally funded program that gives students extra help in reading and math. It is currently done by taking students out of their regular classes.

But this summer there will be a two week program in July and again in August to help students maintain their math and reading skills.

In the fall of 2004, the program will switch from the pull-out-of-class approach to an after-school one. Then next June there will be another two-week summer session.

Principal Connie Hesse explained it at the March 29 school board meeting, and in more detail to The Argus the next day. From October 2004 to April 2005, it will run from 3:15-5:15. It will be modeled after the current after-school program that is currently in place at Caledonia in which about 100 students take part. That program, which is funded by state-targeted service dollars, has one hour of homework time and one hour of enrichment.

First grade Title 1 students will meet after school this fall on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, while second and third graders will meet Monday through Thursday. Friday will be an optional enrichment day. Transportation will be provided.

It will be staffed by current Title 1 teachers Greta Mierau, Sharon Tweten, and Sue Scobie. Funds are paid by the federal government.

Hesse said eliminating the pull-out approach will give students more classroom time during the day. Rochester school district has done it, and has seen a tremendous boost academically, Hesse said, because students have eight hours of additional instruction per week.

School board member Barb Hurley expressed some concerns about the change at the March 29 school board meeting. ìThatís a young age to be getting home that late,î she said. ìWhere is their free time here?î She thought it also might make students less enthusiastic about classroom work.

Title 1 cuts that are affecting some school sin Minnesota will not hit Caledonia next year. The district will receive $130,880 in 2004-05, compared to $132,210 this year.

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