For a third year, PAVE persused its mission to improve educational opportunities for Milwaukee families and students in its Summer Extended Learning Initiative. 2,000 low-income students participated in this summer’s successful programs at 12 city of Milwaukee Charter and Choice schools.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel noted on July 14, 2009, “Wisconsin continues to have one of the nation’s largest gaps in achievement between black and white students”. PAVE’s Summer Learning Initiative addresses the achievement gap for low-income students, particularly in terms of the loss of academic skills during the summer months..

Teachers and administrators at the 12 participating schools agree with PAVE that extended learning is fundamental to improving academic performance. They accepted the challenge of developing and implementing a program that included morning math, reading and science sessions and relevant  afternoon enrichment activities that encourage learning outside the classroom.  

PAVE believes that low-income student performance can be improved through the adoption of sound  data informed management tools and technology used by teachers and administrators.  These new tools should permit school staffs to make timely and relevant decisions to improve student performance. The Institute for Education Outreach at Alverno College and Stezala Consulting assisted PAVE and its partner schools in the development of school monitoring and improvement plans aimed at improving student performance not only over the summer, but throughout the entire school year.

To enhance summer programs through meaningful enrichment opportunities, PAVE develops new relationships  withcommunityorganizations, including a new partnership with Alliance for Great Lakes, which provided an opportunity for students to join the “Adopt a Beach” program. Students regularly visited McKinley Beach to test water quality, learn about wildlife, plant life, and track ecological threats such as storm water runoff and pollution. A Great Lakes biologist accompanied students to answer their many questions.

As part of National Summer Learning Day, former Brewer star Larry Hisle spoke with students at the Academy of Learning and Leadership on the value of discipline, goals, and teamwork.  This successful year of the PAVE Summer of Baseball, developed in partnership with the Milwaukee Brewers and Miller Park Stadium District Community Program, concluded with its Helfaer Field tournament. Tournament winners were treated by Larry Hisle and the Brewers to a visit with Brewers players in the dugout before a game.

PAVE will continue to fulfill its mission of making excellent educational opportunities possible for Milwaukee families by developing more valuable extended learning opportunities in 2010.