Ypsilanti to provide math-focused morning class for kindergarten, 1st grade

The program, which will run from 8 to 8:45 a.m., will be instruction-based with a focus on mathematics. It will be available at Adams Academy and Perry Childhood Development Center. District officials recently pushed back the start times at these two schools from 8:25 to 9:05 a.m., making it difficult for some parents to get their children on the bus for school, before they are required to be at work.

Start times were changed throughout the district by anywhere from 10 to 40 minutes to generate a $500,000 savings in transportation. The new times allow Ypsilanti to have fewer buses on the roads, officials said, but those buses will make more runs before returning to the garage.

Martin said it was determined math would be the focus of the morning enrichment program after a presentation Monday from Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Martin and the district's instructional team, which showed Ypsilanti students are far below the mark in math.

Jennifer Martin reported on Ypsilanti's achievement gap and its plans for improving students' test scores, especially in the district’s African American and economically disadvantaged subgroups.

Last year, 10 percent of all Ypsilanti third-graders scored proficient in math on the Michigan Educational Assessment Program exam.

The morning enrichment classes at Perry and Adams have limited spots available. Perry will accept 60 pupils in kindergarten and 40 in first grade. Adams will have 15 spots open in both grades.

The enrichment class will start on Sept. 10 and run until May 24, 2013. Attendance is mandatory. Dedrick Martin said students exceeding three absences or five tardies will be removed from the program.

Parents will be responsible for transporting their kids to the enrichment class. Buses will not be provided. Children in the enrichment program will be served breakfast following the class alongside their peers.