Summer’s Influence on Teaching and Learning All Year

January 21, 2016

This report from the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) looks at the impact of summer learning programs across the country.

With support from The Walmart Foundation, NSLA worked with school districts and partners to develop summer learning programs focused on district’s goals and engaging the most at-risk students in their communities.

The report compiles findings across programs, as well as, school-year data on participating youth to highlight the value of summer learning programs to students, teachers, and communities.

Some of their findings:

  • Teachers report building deeper relationships in the summer and seeing their “problem” students excel in the more hands-on, individualized environment.
  • 88 percent of teachers said summer learning is an important part of the overall plan to support student success in school.
  • Gains averaged 7.3 months in reading and 7.1 months in math across programs in Boston, New York, Detroit, and Baltimore.
  • Ninety-five percent of parents surveyed by Pittsburgh’s Summer Dreamers Academy responded that the program provides a good balance of fun and learning, and 72 percent said their child has a better attitude about school after attending the program.

Read the full NSLA annual report to learn more or view the 1-page summary.

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