LANCASTER – During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Michele Bowers, Lancaster School District Superintendent, and Brenda Smith, Assistant Superintendent, presented the 2011 – 2012 STAR testing results from students enrolled in the Children’s Academic and Recreation Enrichment Success (CARES) after school program.
All Lancaster School District students are tested each year to measure learning and the progress they are making in the classroom.
In the 2011 – 2012 school year, all CARES program participants showed improvement from the previous year, and more than 51% of the students scored either proficient or advanced on the language arts and math sections of the exam.
A majority of participants have also achieved a daily attendance rate of 95% or greater, which is consistent with Lancaster School District attendance goals.
“Education is the gateway to success,” said Mayor R. Rex Parris. “With programs like CARES in our City, we enable our children [to] get the most out of their educational experience, and help them succeed in life.”
The City of Lancaster has partnered with the Lancaster School District for over 10 years to offer the CARES afterschool program to students at eight local elementary schools:
- Desert View,
- El Dorado,
- Jack Northrop,
- Joshua,
- Linda Verde,
- Mariposa,
- Sierra, and
- Sunnydale.
The program is offered at no cost to participants through funding provided by an After School Education and Safety (ASES) grant secured by the Lancaster School District.
Since the CARES program’s inception, more than 12,000 local children have received much needed tutoring and academic support as well as enrichment opportunities that include exposure to physical activities, as well as visual and performing arts.
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Chris says
Hey,
This is great. I am glad to hear the Lancaster School District is improving so much.