Based on the findings, the researchers made several recommendations:

• Urban districts should consider offering summer learning programs to improve outcomes among students from low-income families and with low academic achievement. That’s particularly true if they can offer these programs over many, consecutive summers.
• Districts should offer at least five weeks of programming with at least three hours of academic instruction per day.
• To increase program effectiveness, districts should focus on three areas: ensuring strong student attendance, productive use of instructional time and high-quality instruction.

Additionally, the Summer Learning Toolkit provides evidence-based, hands-on tools and guidance for delivering effective programs.