CENTRAL HIGH TO OFFER CLASSES DURING SUMMER

Cape Girardeau Central senior Blaine Oxley High School wished she could have taken a computer applications class but couldn't fit it into her school schedule.

Starting in June, high school students can earn credits during Central's summer school.

The classes, open to students from area high schools, is free.

Traditional remedial courses will be offered, but students may take elective courses of interest.

The school offers driver education, as it has for the past several years. The course teaches students to drive, qualifies for them for insurance discounts but doesn't carry class credit.

Principal Dan Tallent said changes in Missouri's state law under Senate Bill 380, the Outstanding Schools Act, made summer school feasible for Central High.

Under the law, state funding is doubled for each summer school student. Plus, students who live in other school districts can be counted as Cape Girardeau students for summer courses.

If 20 students enroll in a course, state money covers its cost, he said.

Tallent surveyed students about halfway through the school year and about 120 expressed an interest in taking a summer course.

"It's an opportunity for students who have fallen behind in core area courses to make up the class," Tallent explained.

If a student failed a semester of English and a semester of algebra, he could take those courses during the summer and be back on track for the next school year.

Sophomore Christina Johnson "I think this would be helpful, especially for students who with absences and stuff might lose some credit."

Elective courses will need 20 students to be offered, Tallent said.

"Often if students are involved in band and the academic track, their courses are pretty well set," he said. "A lot of times there are electives they can't work into their schedules."

Oxley said that scenario describes her situation.

"I tried to get into a computer applications class, but I couldn't," she said. "I wanted it for college."

Summer school offers students more options, which she said is good.

"If students are flunking and not going to graduate, this is a good choice," Oxley said. "I don't think anyone should be required to go to summer school, but it is good to have a choice."

Remedial classes meet for two hours a day, and elective courses meet for three hours a day, beginning June 5 and ending July 20.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires 60 hours of class time be offered for students to earn credit. During the school year, Central High courses have 90 hours of instructional time.

Tallent said remedial courses are shorter because students have already been exposed to the class material.

The elective courses are 90 hours, he said, because students haven't attended the course before.

Students must attend at least 90 percent of the classes to earn credit.

Information about enrollment is available from high school guidance counselors.