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Preparing Students for the Future

All-Day Math and English Labs Inspire Students to Take More Difficult Courses

Danbury High School students and teachers working together

All-day math and English skills labs for students at Danbury High School have proven that with some extra help, students can be motivated to take more difficult courses. The ‘educational enhancement labs’, funded by Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals and General Electric, gives students the help they need any time during the day and after school. An after school bus has been added through funding from Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals and CBIA.

 

To date, more than 1,000 students have used the labs. Enrollment in the higher math classes is up 11% for Geometry and 13% for Algebra 2. According to the school’s principal, enrollment in advanced classes of Trigonometry and Pre-calculus has risen to over 200, and beginning in the next academic year there will be over 300 students enrolled. To handle the increase, several math classes will be added.

 

“I’m not a good math student. On my first test I got a 28. I came here and corrected my programs the next test I got a 70 and the next test I got an 84. Coming here really made a difference in my test grades. – Mike Medeiros, 9 th Grade

 

“If you give kids the help they need, they’ll stick out the hard courses,” says Danbury High School principal Cathi Richard. “Algebra 2 stops a lot of kids. It’s hard. But now they’re not dropping the class. They have a place to go to get help. Who’s going to help a kid with Trig at home? Most parents can’t do that. The word is out, and kids are staying with the hard classes and going to the lab to get help.”

 

“Ms. Mion helped me with grammar today. I also came in because they have really good computers here. They’re new and really quick. I’ve used this lots of times. It’s quiet. You have one-on-one teaching help. It’s actually a really good idea.” – Damiany Espinal, 11th Grade

 

“This is a dream, a long time in coming,” Danbury associate superintendent Dr. William Glass said. “It’s a ‘just in time” resource available when the students need it, not when it can be scheduled.”

 

Each lab is fully equipped with new computers, wireless internet, and work areas for volunteer math and English teachers who take turns during the school day to answer students’ questions and give them individual help.

 

CBIA administers the Connecticut State Scholars Initiative, which encourages high school students to take more demanding courses. As part of the Danbury State Scholars program, business mentor volunteers from the Danbury Schools and Business Collaborative (DSABC) have made over 30 presentations to students to encourage them to achieve greater success in life through academic achievement.

 

For more information about this program, contact Dayl Walker at CBIA, email walkerd@cbia.com or call her at 860-244-1900.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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