DISTRICT OFFERING MAKEUP OPTIONS.

Byline: Cynthia Teed Daily News Staff Writer

Summer school isn't the only way local high school and junior high students can catch up to avoid being held back under the new state ban on social promotion.

The William S. Hart Union High School District will offer Saturday programs and after-school sessions for students to make up credits and to improve failing grades.

Students who are in danger of failing and face repeating their current grade are being identified and advised to meet standard requirements.

``All junior high schools in the district will offer options for eighth-graders to make up their deficiencies, but not all schools will offer the exact same options. Each school has its own plan,'' said Leslie Crunelle, assistant superintendent in charge of education and curriculum for the district.

Arroyo Seco Junior High already has begun to offer eighth-graders in danger of being retained several options other than summer school to make up deficiencies. The options include Saturday school and evening classes.

Starting April 20, students there can take six weeks of classes from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays to try to catch up. On April 24, eighth-graders can take classes for six Saturdays.

``We've found something that works, and we're going to continue to offer these options to the students allowing them to earn back credits they need for promotion to the ninth grade,'' said DeDe Kelly, an Arroyo Seco counselor.

Since February, Arroyo Seco has offered Saturday classes to the eighth-graders and found the program to be successful for the students who have shown perfect attendance and presented no discipline problems officials said.

``Students who have completed the first round of Saturday classes showed much academic improvement, gave perfect attendance and demonstrated a seriousness of purpose that pleasantly surprised us,'' Kelly said.

Students may choose to make up credits in English, math and science.

And although the curriculum is concentrated, Kelly said, it isn't diluted. Students have to do experiments, complete projects and take exams, just as in regular class periods.

If Arroyo Seco students are unable to earn enough credits for promotion during the Saturday school and evening classes, they can attend summer school starting June 28 at Saugus High School, a last resort to avoid retention.

For those students who still do not earn enough credits, the district's new ninth-grade transitional school may be the answer.

``It's going to happen. The location just hasn't been pinpointed yet, but it will be the type of school that offers smaller classes and a lot of remediation, allowing students to learn in a different environment,'' Kelly said.

Seventh-graders needing remediation will have additional help. This summer will be the first year the district has amplified a remediation program for seventh-graders, said Gary Wexler, the district's director of curriculum.