Nine Steps to a Successful Summer School.

The College Station (Texas) Independent School District spent several months improving its summer school programs, but the results have been well worth the effort. The district's first step was to create the new position of "summer school principal" at the elementary, junior high, and senior high levels. This action relieved school-year principals from summer school planning and allowed a few professionals to develop a quality program. The person hired as The elementary summer school principal was given the task of designing an effective, cost-efficient summer school program, and did so in collaboration with teachers, administrators, students, and parents. Staff were guided by a nine-step action plan involving: (1) cooperative planning; (2) developing a curriculum including both remedial and enrichment classes and field trips; (3) recruiting faculty; (4) scheduling hour-long classes for a half-day program; (5) publicizing the program; (6) registering students on a convenient Saturday and charging $25 minimum tuition; (7) streamlining program operations; (8) formatting an easily understood final report; and (9) involving teachers in program evaluation. Teachers and students benefitted from the lack of grades, the chance to build confidence and new friendships, discovery of ways to combine fun and learning, freedom from paperwork, and the short working day. (MLH)