NORWALK, Conn. (AP) – About two dozen middle school students will be getting paid for doing extra school work under an intensive education program run by the Norwalk Housing Authority.

The program involves extra instruction in math and language arts and parent involvement. The sixth- and seventh-graders involved in the Housing Authority’s Work Study Academy will receive $1,000 stipends for participating.

Organizers say the money is a way to reward the students for the extra work and teach them early about managing their finances by holding an extra seminar about saving their earnings.

Ivy Burke, director of the Housing Authority’s Learning Centers, said the program will be rigorous and they expect results.

“We want students to increase at least one letter grade, increase (Connecticut Mastery Test) scores, we want to see fewer absences in school (and) we want to see a greater family involvement,” Burke said.

Students who were selected to participate in the 30-week program went through an extensive entry process in which they filled out an application, submitted their report cards and were interviewed by a selection committee.

Their parents also were interviewed and signed contracts agreeing to read to their child three times a week and make sure they attend the sessions.

Students participate for two hours per day, three times a week.

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Information from: The Advocate, http://www.stamfordadvocate.com

AP-ES-09-19-05 0755EDT