University of the PACIFIC

University of the Pacific has partnered with the San Joaquin County Office of Education to save an intensive math summer program designed for children of migrant workers. The program, which serves more than 80 local students, was cut by Stockton Unified School District due to state budget cuts after more than 20 years of existence.

Founded in San Jose in 1988, the Jose Valdes Math Institute aims to prepare seventh and eighth graders for high school math curriculum and the required California High School Exit Exam. The five-week program started on June 15 and runs through July 16. All classes are taught by credentialed teachers with the help of teaching assistants.

This is the first time Pacific has run the program, which was just one of many education programs on the chopping block due to the state budget crisis. The program is a collaboration involving the San Joaquin County Office of Education, Stockton Unified School District and Lodi Unified School District.

The program reduces the risk of students dropping out of school by providing a viable intervention program at an early age, raising self-esteem, and smoothing the transition from middle school to high school, said program officials. The program also prepares students to succeed in other advanced high school courses, motivates them to stay in school, and encourages them to enter a college/university preparatory program.

The classes are being held at Pacific's Benerd School of Education from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The students are in class for seven hours each day for four days per week. They also have up to two hours of homework each night. Teachers implement games and creative teaching methods in the classroom during instruction.

Pacific took the lead role in organizing the program, including hiring bilingual math teachers and teaching assistants, developing the class curriculum and organizing busing for the students. The county's Office of Education funded the program.