As the summer heat ramps up, it's time once again for Summer Learning Week–a weeklong event celebrating the power and importance of summer learning.
Recent research suggests that students who regularly attend high-quality summer learning opportunities can reap both academic and social benefits. “Summer feels like unclaimed space, and, so, I think that lends itself to a more creative use of time,” states Carla Chapman, chief diversity officer at Akron Public Schools, in a recent video.
The video highlights two examples of high-quality summer learning programs in Akron, OH, and Woodward, OK. Both programs combine elements of education and enrichment to help support students from marginalized communities and ensure their programs cast a wide net in serving all families.
Summer feels like unclaimed space, and, so, I think that lends itself to a more creative use of time.
The two districts based their programs on research from a report by the RAND Corporation. The report evaluated summer learning programs that focused on reading and mathematics at five urban school districts. A key recommendation noted that districts that commit to offering a summer learning program in the fall and begin their planning no later than January often run a smoother program, with fewer logistical problems.
“This type of high-quality summer programming takes an incredible amount of planning,” Chapman says in the video. “Even now, as we’re in the middle of our summer programming, I am sure we’re paying attention to the lessons we’re learning and using that feedback to think about what needs to occur next year.”
For those looking to start their own summer programs, a glance through Wallace’s online Summer Learning Toolkit can help get you started. You can also check out the resources at the Summer Learning Week website.
As Bana Bogdahn, special education & federal programs director at Woodward Public Schools, explains in the video, “We want to have a high-quality summer program because we’ve seen what the programs are doing for our kids. Our kids are excited, and that’s what we’re striving for.”
