A TIME Magazine article posted online today highlights the importance of keeping children engaged in high-quality summer programs that provide both learning opportunities and fun. “Americans have a skewed view of childhood and summertime,” says the article, which also describes summer as “among the most pernicious — if least acknowledged — causes of achievement gaps in America’s schools.”
Featuring our CEO Ron Fairchild and model programs in Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Corbin, Kentucky, the article suggests that expanded access to summer enrichment programs can help combat summer learning loss – particularly for children from low-income families – and improve American competitiveness.
The more in depth August 2, 2010 print version features additional program examples.
July 22nd, 2010
A Washington Post article Monday reported on the summer school cuts being made around the country as districts struggle to deal with budget deficits. It is a predictable but shortsighted step, given the research showing how summer learning contributes to the achievement gap.
Our own CEO Ron Fairchild and Policy Director Jeff Smink took to the back page of Education Week this month to make the case for more, not less, summer learning. In the commentary piece (may require free registration) they outline the role that high-quality summer programs can play in education reform.
Ron and Jeff argue that by re-envisioning summer school, districts could make it an investment in improved student achievement later on—a way to extend learning, provide effective intervention, and offer enrichment opportunities, particularly for those students who have few other good options during those months out of school.
We think the piece, which includes several policy recommendations, makes a great case for positioning summer learning as a vehicle for improving student achievement and getting more kids on the path to school success. Do you agree?
May 27th, 2010
