Summer Learning Programs
Summer learning programs are a chance for students and professionals to continue their education year-round, prevent summer learning loss, and prepare for and transition to upcoming learning opportunities, whether that is a new position within the workplace, or the next academic school year.
What is a Summer Learning Program?
Summer learning programs are educational opportunities for students to continuously develop their knowledge and build skills year-round. These types of programs also ensure that working parents can continue their typical routines that they have developed over the traditional academic school year.
Oftentimes, summer learning programs can further develop students’ social and emotional skills by providing them with a consistent and supportive community. This provides the student more opportunity for growth, oftentimes outside of the traditional classroom environment.
Definition of Summer Learning Program
Summer Learning Program Examples
K-12
Elementary schoolers can attend summer enrichment programs provided by their school district or private programs. Sometimes, these enrichment programs have a traditional school curriculum similar to the courses that the student takes during the school year, and other times, they have extracurricular activities that the students can choose from.
College
College students can take summer courses or gain hands-on experience through internships. Students may want to participate in summer learning to get ahead, catch up on course credits, or explore adjacent areas within or outside of their major. Other students may complete internships to see the application in a real-world environment.
Workplace
While there may not be a summer break for working professionals, employees can select their off-season or slow months to engage in continuous learning. Some workplaces allow sabbaticals for 3-6 months for learning projects that are popularly adopted during summer months. Various bootcamps such as coding and design bootcamps are typically held during the summer.
Why Summer Learning Programs are Important
Prevent summer learning loss
Students who engage in summer learning programs can maintain or even continue to build their subject knowledge, study habits, or organization skills that they may have forgotten or lost otherwise.
Smoother student transitions
If a student is moving to a new school district, or experienced a tough school year, summer learning programs are a way for them to adjust to the new environment they will experience in the upcoming year.
Build and maintain a community
Depending on the type of summer learning program, students will typically engage in group activities and projects, where they can develop team-building skills and learn how to work together with their peers.
Summer Learning Program Statistics
Falling 3 grade equivalents behind
According to the California Department of Education, research has shown low-income students to be three grade equivalents behind their more affluent peers as a result of summer learning loss.
96% of students felt more confident
After participating in the Close the Gap Summer Fellowship, 96% of Fellows felt more confident in their ability to succeed after months of planning, executing, and presenting on their chosen social impact projec, for an average confdience increase of over 4X.
39% of school year gains are lost
According to a 2020 study from the American Education Research Journal, 52% of first to fifth grade lost 39% of their total school year gains during the summer months.
Summer Learning Program Resources
Enrichment Activities and Field Trips
Think Together’s summer learning programs combine academic instruction designed to prevent “summer learning loss.”
Summer Learning Program Example
Oakland Unified School District can serve as a model for the types of summer learning programs your district could provide.
Year-Round, Summer Learning Strategies
San Francisco Department of Children Youth and Families shares the importance of comprehensive year-round and summer learning strategies.
How To Engage in Summer Learning Programs
Push for summer learning programs
If your school district doesn’t already provide summer learning programs, present research and program options to your Principal, Board of Education, or Superintendent.
Organize with students and allies
As people push for summer learning programs, whether that is through planning discussions, survey data, or testimonials, district leaders can see the need for summer learning opportunities.
Self-led summer learning
If there is no option to participate in summer learning programs, students should read and take advantage of other educational resources to stay engaged during the summer.