Summer Learning:A National Perspective

Bob SeidelSenior Director, Strategic Initiatives and Policy

National Summer Learning Associationbseidel@summerlearning.org

Impact After School ConferenceJohnston, Iowa April 24, 2014

National Summer Learning Association

Our vision is to ensure that every child is safe, healthy and engaged in learning during the summer months.

NSLA seeks to:• Improve the quality of summer learning

opportunities• Expand access to summer learning• Increase demand for summer learning

What We Do

• Raise public and policymaker awareness• Support program quality through

assessment, training, & technical assistance• Assist community-wide initiatives• Develop and advocate for public policy

NSLA’s Three Strategic Goals

Ensure that:1. School districts and their communities

include high-quality afterschool and summer learning in a 12-month student achievement plan for all students in Title I schools;

NSLA’s Three Strategic Goals (cont.)

2. Providers align school-year and summer programs through shared indicators of quality and effectiveness in coordinated systems; and

3. Local communities and states use afterschool and summer learning to accelerate education priorities, such as 3rd grade reading, middle school transitions, high school graduation, and post-secondary readiness.

Why Summer Learning?The Challenge

There is no other time of year when inequalities are greater in the United States than during the summer months.

Guarantees evaporate during the summer

• Breakfast and lunch

• Academic classes

• Teachers and other caring adults

• Physical education

• After-school programs & extra-curricular activities

Why Summer Learning?The Opportunity

Compelling research base on advancing learning Laboratory for innovation in teaching & learning Spans transition periods Support for working families Health & safety benefits Significant opportunity for community connections Growing importance in the education reform/time

and learning debate

Research OverviewOver 40 studies confirm summer learning loss Most students tend to lose 2 months of math skills Low-income students tend to lose 2-3 months of

reading skills High-quality summer programs can result in 2 or

more months GAINS in reading and math Significant implications for the achievement gap,

graduation rates, and career success

Successful Programs: How Do They Do It?

Findings from RAND and Child Trends (Wallace)

Research indicates certain program characteristics are linked to student achievement gains• Providing individualized instruction• Smaller class sizes (1:5- 1:8)• Involving parents• ~150 hours per summer, at least two consecutive

summers

How Do They Do It? Expert opinion points to best program practices• Aligning the school year and summer curricula• Including content beyond remediation• Involving and educating families early• Enticing students—they must attend to benefit—

creating a “summer culture”• Engaging high-quality instructors

The 2011 RAND ReportSummer learning programs can prevent summer

learning loss if they: Plan year-round; Start early to hire quality staff & recruit students; Incorporate best practices from successful programs; Establish partnerships; Stabilize funding; and Expand their outcomes research base.

The 2013 RAND Report Engage district, site, and partner staff in

planning. Clearly delineate roles. Establish firm enrollment deadlines & keep

electronic students records. Use evidence-based curriculum standardized

across sites.

2013 RAND (#2) Use strategies to differentiate curriculum

materials to accommodate at least two ability levels.

Support students with special needs. Give teachers [and staff] sufficient training and

ongoing support. Engage providers with well-qualified staff with

behavior management experience.

2013 RAND (#3) Plan for enrichment integrated with

academics. Establish a clear attendance policy. Focus on academics 3-4 hours per day. Design the program with costs in mind. Put resources into tracking & boosting

attendance. Use effective cost-accounting principles.

The impact of summer learning

SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN GRADE-LEVEL VOCABULARY

Summer Learning around the U.S.

2010 report from the Afterschool Alliance found: 25 percent of school-age children (an estimated 14.3

million children) participated in summer learning programs.

Based on parent interest in enrolling their child in a summer learning program, 56 percent of all non-participating children (an estimated 24 million children) would likely enroll in summer learning programs.

And yet… Federal Gridlock

The Current Federal Policy Context

Focus on big fiscal issues, which affect everything, including education

Money is going to be very, very tight for the foreseeable future.

What Does This Mean forSummer Learning?

No new federal programs, except early childhood Additional funding will be difficult Summer not yet part of the core policyBut… Policymakers want to see results & “bang for the

buck”—outcomes data More time for learning is relatively “hot”

State Initiatives New Mexico—Kindergarten Plus; 2014 OST funds Wyoming—Bridges Program—enrichment California—Summer Matters campaign & 21st CCLC

legislation Kentucky—Encourages summer learning camps using

Title I; requires 80 hours of summer for migrant education

Rhode Island—Legislative task forcefunding in state education budget two years in a row

Latest State Initiatives—2013/2014

Massachusetts—Sustained $3M investment in Afterschool/Summer Enrichment & Acceleration Academies for English Language Learners; increase the After School and Out of School Time Quality Grant program by 15%

Texas, Washington-- Expanded Learning Opportunities Council passed by legislature

States, 21st CCLC, & Summer California—sets aside 15% of new funding Iowa—if doing summer, must be at least 30 days Michigan—requires 3 hours/day, 4 days/week, 6 weeks Minnesota—requires 4 weeks, at least 3 days/week New Hampshire—requires 4 weeks of “full day” New Jersey—requires 4 hours/day, 5 days/week, 4 weeks Texas—requires 4 hours/day, 4 days/week,

4 weeks

The Funding Challenge The 21st Century Community Learning Centers

program is the only federal resource explicitly focused on summer (along with after-school).• Funded at less than half amount authorized

State and local funds under pressure from competing priorities, tight budgets

So, What to Do?Some opportunities:

• 21st CCLC—fund at authorized level (Congress)• Title I—understand allowability• Grade-level reading• Year-round school debate

Summer Learning Day is a national advocacyday recognized to spread awareness aboutthe importance of summer learning.

Visit summerlearning.org/sld to find Summer Learning Day resources and ways to celebrate.

Visit summerlearningdaymap.org to find an event, or add your own event, on the official Summer Learning Day map.

Celebrate Summer Learning Dayon Friday, June 20!

Thank you for your work supporting the young people, families, and communities of

Iowa and Minnesota!Bob Seidel

bseidel@summerlearning.org