E.C.I.A. Chapter 1 Reading and Math with Athletics. Summer 1986

During Summer 1986, the Division of Special Education of the New York City Board of Education operated a Chapter 1 Summer Program, Reading and Math with Athletics, which served a total of 1,625 students at 13 sites for six weeks. Students received morning instruction: one period per day each in reading, mathematics, and in athletic and recreational activities. The Big Apple Sports Program sponsored the athletic and recreational activities for a 4-week period. In addition, students had one cultural or recreational trip per week. Program personnel incorporated athletic activities into reading and math instruction, and used a holistic, meaning-centered approach to reading instruction. The sports curriculum component and the trips enhanced student motivation to learn reading and math. In reading, over 78 percent of the 1,314 participating students (who took both pretest and posttest) showed a gain of at least two points on the Reading Metropolitan Achievement Test (MAT); the mean gain was 5.3 points. In math, almost 79 percent of the 1,332 participating students showed a gain on the Math MAT of at least two points; the mean gain was 4.4 points. Program staff indicated that they wanted more audio-visual equipment and instructional materials. Recommendations for improving the program are offered. Data are presented on eight tables. (BJV)