Policy Issues

CDE After School Video

August 28, 2017/in Funding and Sustainability, Policy Issues, Videos /by Ezra Denney

Proposed Federal budget cuts threaten after school and summer programs in California. State Superintendent Tom Torlakson has forcefully opposed the budget cuts, and spoken out about the benefits of summer and after school programs. Recently, he visited a summer learning program at Robla Elementary School near Sacramento, to see the impact the program has on the local community, and highlight the importance of summer learning for California students.

CSBA Legislative 2014 Factsheet

July 5, 2017/in Policy Issues, Summer Learning Loss /by Ezra Denney

The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide an overview of the potential impact summer learning programs have on California’s schoolchildren. Summer programming has become more achievable for districts due to the flexibility provided by the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF).

Ensuring access to summer learning for all students

June 13, 2017/in Featured, Policy Issues, Stories, Summer Learning Loss /by Ezra Denney

The research is clear that summer and after-school programs provide numerous benefits to students. According to a study by John Hopkins University, during the summer months children living in low-resource communities who are not engaged in activities tend to fall into a “summer slide,” while their peers from more economically advantaged communities build skills that will help them succeed. Students without positive summer activities lose nearly two months of competency in reading, and these losses are cumulative. By ninth grade, summer learning loss accounts for nearly two-thirds of the achievement gap in reading. Also well-documented are the negative impacts on health: youth without summer learning programs gain weight at a higher rate than during the school year. This is particularly true for children and youth of color and those who are already overweight.

2017-18 21st CCLC Grantees Announced

April 18, 2017/in Featured, Policy Issues /by Ezra Denney

On April 11th, the California Department of Education’s Expanded Learning Division released the Intent to award funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC Elementary and Middle School) and 21st Century High School After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens (ASSETs) programs contingent upon the availability of federal funds, and subject to change based upon the grant appeal process.

National Academy of Sciences Hosts Summer Learning Panel

January 24, 2017/in Policy Issues, Program Quality, Reports, Summer Learning Loss /by Ezra Denney

On August 25, 2016, The Institute of Medicine/National Academy of Science hosted a panel on summertime opportunities in Washington DC. The workshop validated the value of a summer learning approach not only for student academic achievement, but also for students’ health outcomes. A report outlining the workshop was just published.

Every Hour Counts Report

June 14, 2016/in Policy Issues, Reports /by Daren Howard

The report describes the pressing social issues that impact student learning, including poverty and inequity, and examine the ways in which expanded learning can help remove some of the associated barriers.

Summer Opportunity Webinar Recording

June 14, 2016/in Policy Issues, Videos /by Daren Howard

The National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) is excited about the commitment of communities all over the country to shape smarter summers, brighter futures for young people as part of the Summer Opportunity Project (SOP).