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After School Students Come to Learn

Posted on: Monday, 26 December 2005, 12:00 CST

By Betty Taylor, The Times-News, Twin Falls, Idaho,, The Times-News, Twin Falls, Idaho,

Dec. 26--MURTAUGH -- Some students are staying after school, but not as punishment.

They are staying for help.

Murtaugh High School, Middle School and Elementary School started an after-school program five years ago to assist students. The Achievement Academy, as it is called, is held from 3:10 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Teachers are available to tutor students, who are also provided with a snack and bus ride home.

The purpose of the Achievement Academy is to tutor and motivate. First, students can volunteer to attend to get help on material that they do not understand. Second, students who do not hand in homework will be assigned there to motivate them to turn in their homework.

"All of the Title One students and students with low test scores from the Idaho Reading Indicator are requested to participate," said Michele Capps, elementary school principal. "The parents have the right to refuse their child's participation, but we don't have very many that deny the services."

"The students who participate are by invitation, which is ultimately decided on by teacher recommendation based on what the teacher feels each student needs," said Debbie Cutler, a third-grade teacher. "We are expecting to see improvement in ISAT (Idaho Standards Achievement Test) and IRI (Idaho Reading Indicator) scores and also improvement in home work."

Used in the after-school program is the Plato Learning Program that the state of Idaho has recommended for school use. It is Web based and based on ISAT scores. This program allows teachers to target a student's personal learning range.

"We are experimenting to see how we can use it with the whole class as it gives the students an opportunity to work at their own pace," Cutler said.

There are 11 teachers and aides for grades one to eight participating in the program. But a problem with the after-school program in small schools is staff burn out, so which is why they cut back to two days per week, Capps said.

"The classes are kept small, around eight students per room," she said. "The teachers are paid an additional salary."

Chandre Damian, a high school senior, is the only student aide in the program. She helps tutor students in math, reading and other subjects and is paid an hourly wage.

The middle school program is run a little different.

"We all saw a great need at the middle school level," said Penny Pattee, a counselor and teacher. "Anyone who is not at proficient level ISAT math test is required to be there Tuesdays and Thursdays. Presently, 15 students fall into this bracket. Five to 10 students who need help with homework also participate on a volunteer basis. We spend the first half hour working on computers, then go back to the classroom and do homework."

One of the common problems for students in the middle school is the transition from one class to six different classes.

"Some kids catch on quicker than others," Pattee said.

"The after-school program gives the kids a chance to work on what they need to instead of what the whole class is working on," said Lisa Nebeker, a teacher. "If they miss something they can go back and work on it. This year, computers were added to the program and it has helped."

"It has helped me," said Bonnie Russell, an eighth-grader, "Even though I don't like staying after school."

The snacks are provided through the Food Service Program and include juice, fruit roll ups, crackers and cheese.

Transportation is the biggest expense of the program and the main expenses are paid for from grants. The first few years, they were paid for with a Twenty First Century Grant. This year, the program is supported by small grants from public and private organizations.

For more information on the after-school program, call the school at 432-5233.

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Copyright (c) 2005, The Times-News, Twin Falls, Idaho,

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Source: The Times-News

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