South College offers free classes in response to COVID pandemic

Aspiring college freshers who may be academically lagging behind after a year of virtual learning have the opportunity to catch up before college.

South College launches the Bridge Program this fall, free math and English review courses for anyone entering college. The course consists of two and a half hours of lessons twice a week from July 13th to 29th. Space is limited.

South decided to offer free refresher courses to prospective college students in anticipation of the learning loss from the COVID-19 pandemic. For high school graduates, transitioning back to normal schooling could be especially difficult as they enter a new level of education where the Bridge program originated, said South College Chancellor Steve South.

“We are grateful that after a year of so many breaks in education, we have been able to share our expertise for the benefit of the community,” said South. “We want to make sure that college students have the tools they need to make a successful transition.”

Classes are held online and in person at South College, 140 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville.

Students do not need to attend South College in the fall to take refresher courses. The bridge program is open to all students who enroll at a university in autumn 2021. No academic achievements are awarded.

Since COVID entered life in March 2020, students have struggled with virtual and hybrid learning. Buncombe County Schools returned to full face-to-face tuition on March 29, while Asheville City Schools returned to the physical classroom for a week in late March.

Previously, the districts implemented a mix of hybrid learning and virtual learning for most of the school year. This back and forth had consequences for young learners.

“The area of ​​support I found was a common theme in our schools and communities was the need for face-to-face interaction – the feeling of being connected while operating in a virtual environment,” said Malikah Mills, intervention advisor for Buncombe County Schools.

Education News: Buncombe County Schools’ ESL funding is falling due to fewer immigrant students

► Teachers, staff increases? City and county school authorities prepare interim budgets while waiting for a state plan

The NC Department of Public Instruction has not yet released state test results – they are usually released in September – but many expect that the results used to measure student academic achievement may not be where they were before the pandemic were.

The coronavirus shutdown affected education in a variety of ways: districts received millions in federal recovery funds, had to submit updated mental health plans with an emphasis on socio-emotional learning, and saw enrollments decline.

But the real impact has been on the students being thrown back to normal – going back to the classroom, taking state tests, preparing for a new school year – right on the heels of the pandemic.

“I think it’s very unfair to all the students because this year has obviously challenged everyone,” said Avery McHargue, a student at Asheville High School. “But you still have to prepare.”

COVID and education: Buncombe County Schools final exam returns; Predicted lower scores when teachers weigh in

► AB Tech uses COVID-19 aid funds to provide student aid

Many teachers, like Daniel Withrow, NCAE member and teacher at Asheville City Schools, predict that the toll from COVID could lead to declining academic achievement for students.

“As a teacher, I see that a lot of students are just not academically in the same place they would be expected at this time of the year, which makes sense in a global pandemic,” Withrow said. “It took a lot of energy from the children and families, so they are not academically in the same place.”

When students are enrolled in South College and are taking their summer refresher courses, they will receive a $ 500 book scholarship.

Shelby Harris is a reporter on education and other topics. She can be reached at sharris@citizentimes.com or on Twitter @_shelbyharris.

source https://collegeeducationnewsllc.com/south-college-offers-free-classes-in-response-to-covid-pandemic/