Describes the first successful year of planning and operating a self-supporting enrichment summer school program for 350 first through eighth grade students in the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township in Indianapolis, Indiana. The 22 courses offered students opportunities to explore new topic areas in nontraditional ways. (PGD)

A Delaware middle school schedules its summer school near the end of summer, requires students and parents to attend a preliminary meeting, and features strict attendance and behavior requirements. Students' placement depends on reading ability. An evaluation showed that vocabulary, reading, writing, and math scores increased for nearly 70% of…

Moving from a traditional to a balanced, year-round calendar is as much a philosophical as a schedule change. A balanced calendar, with a variety of intersession activities providing opportunities for advancement and enrichment, can help facilitate student learning and minimize time spent reviewing previously learned subject matter. (MLH)

Cumulative learning losses over summer vacations are particularly detrimental to poorer children's reading achievement. By extending the relatively short 180-day U.S. school year, proactive and coordinated summer-school programs can help prevent "summer slide," closing test-score gaps and allowing children the extra learning time they…