School program targets math and reading

By Kelly Custer

Pioneer Staff Writer

      Bemidji School District’s 21st Century Program – an academic tutoring program – could grow its existing program with an expansion grant.

      The after-school and summer program focuses on reading and math skills emphasized nationwide.

      In the Bemidji School District, the 21st Century Program incorporates third-through fifth-grade students with sites at Northern, Lincoln, Horace May and Solway Elementary Schools during the academic year.

      Additionally, the 21st Century Program includes Red Lake/Ponemah, Kelliher and Blackduck sites.

      The existing 21st Century Community Learning Center grant of $372,132 provides funding through 2007. The federal funding is provided through the No Child Left Behind Act and administered by the Minnesota Department of Education.

      Bemidji School District is the fiscal agent for the program which has academic and recreation components.

      John Buckanaga, youth services facilitator, is working on submitting an expansion grant. If accepted, the grant would be implemented in September and continue through August 2006.

      The expansion grant amount is still in flux, although the request for funding could be around $500,000, Buckanaga said.

      Part of the expansion – if granted – would enable the 21st Century Program to include second-grade students in existing programs, add sixth-grade students at the middle school level and increase the number of days a week the program is available.

      Bemidji School District sites would expand from two-days a week, 3 to 5 p.m., to four days a week during the academic year.

      The summer 21st Century Program for the district is held at the Bemidji Middle School, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

      The 21st Century Program, which began in July, is modeled after “Youth Choice” a program through the Beltrami Area Service Collaborative.

      The 21st Century Program has also absorbed students from the disbanded Americorps Youth Quake program for at-risk youth, which lost state funding in August, Buckanaga said.

      Five licensed tutors and six para-professionals work with students to help improve their reading and math skills.

      Teachers and principals refer students to the program.

      The 21st Century grant pays for the students, so there is no cost associated with attending. Breakfast, lunch and transportation to-and-from the middle school is provided through the grant, not the district, explained Buckanaga.

      Participants in the program complete worksheets, work in small groups and with tutors.

      The students get more one-on-one attention than in a typical classroom setting because of the smaller class sizes.

      The middle school location is fitting, because the students have access to the swimming pool and gym where they can play games as well as study, Buckanaga said.

      The program has improved reading scores for children of color and students who qualify for free and reduced lunch during the school year.

      The reading scores for those two categories – as measured by the Measures of Academic Progress tests – increased an average of nine points, Buckanaga said.

      The registration kick-off for the summer 21st Century Program will be at 6 p.m. on June 3.