It’s Time to Plan Summer Learning Opportunities

Teachers are tired, administrators are frustrated, and learners–well, some are flourishing while many are floundering with remote and hybrid learning models.  

Some analysts are posting cataclysmic estimates of ‘learning loss’ and projected economic consequences. We’re less convinced the pandemic will result in “lower GDP on average for the remainder of the century,” but are concerned about accelerating inequity in education as well as the economy. 

With four months to go, now is the time to plan for engaging and equitable summer learning opportunities. There’s just enough time for staffing, building partnerships, and letting families know about options. 

Many states are offering or considering support for summer learning. And it’s quite possible that there will be some federal funding available.

Some school districts are extending the school year by 20 days. Some will continue to offer remote learning over the summer. Many will offer credit recovery options and academic acceleration programs in reading and math. Some will staff it internally, others will contract with nonprofit partners like Cadence Learning formed by former Newark superintendent and New Jersey chief Chris Cerf. 

Ector County ISD in west Texas is focusing on accelerating the progress of elementary students by adding 30 days to the elementary school year and has been working with Harvard to set up performance-based (i.e., pay for gains) high dose tutoring in English, math, and science.

After a year of full or part-time video conferencing the last thing students need is a boring drill oriented approach. Parents have more agency than ever before and saw firsthand the experiences that do and don’t work for their children. Learner-centered options that are interest-driven and layered with real-world learning opportunities is the expectation for summer and beyond.

Rethinking summer learning won’t erase the concept of learning loss caused by the pandemic. Learning loss can imply many things and often does not frame or address the real challenge: equity. The equity gap lies in the learning differences in what has been provided, what has been experienced, and certainly, the ‘missing’ learners who never showed up during the pandemic. Equity is at the heart of the national discussion.  

Follow the Leader

Many competency systems, like Lindsay USD and Westminster Public Schools, will continue to meet learners where they are and rely on learning platforms with common assessments and increased access to online learning. 

Cajon Valley USD will feature interest-driven projects and two-generational World of Work experiences where learners and parents will be invited to think about possible futures. Cajon plans to hire a Director of Summer Learning that will lead remote learning in the fall. 

One Stone, a student-driven nonprofit in Boise, operates free after school and summer learning experiences for teens. Studios of digital and physical resources support social impact, entrepreneurship, marketing, audio, maker, multimedia, and coding experiences.  

One Stone also creates leadership and service opportunities for high school students through Open Book Adventures Camp, a summer reading camp for first and second graders. 

Summit Technology Academy in Kansas City will offer a variety of programs culminating in industry-recognized credentials this summer including certified nursing assistant, phlebotomy, project management, and tech skills. 

With leading universities in 16 cities, AI4All will support summer camps where teens from underrepresented groups learn about artificial intelligence and use it to conduct impact projects. 

Celebrate The Arts

Many learners have been deprived of rich art experiences –particularly performing arts–over the last 12 months. Summer programming (that includes some outdoor modifications) could include cascading presentations over the six Saturdays in July in spoken word, visual arts, music, dance, and theater.  

Big Thought in Dallas will continue to engage youth over the summer in the arts: 

• Creative Solutions is an arts-as-workforce intervention program for adjudicated youth, ages 10-17. 
• Artivism empowers teens to curate and creates visual and performance productions consisting of multi-media art forms such as acrylic, charcoal, photography, videography, and spoken word to advance social justice issues.
• DaVerse Lounge is a unique creative experience for performers ages 21 and under, that combines spoken word, music, and visual arts. Hosted by spoken word artist Will Richey of Journeyman Ink, the (now virtual) program brings out the best in youth expression.
• Thriving Minds is a nationally recognized after school program that focuses on social and emotional learning, creative exploration and expression, and an inclusive learning environment, all tied to academic outcomes.

Museums could also be great summer learning partners. 

Innovation Opportunities

After a year of flexing to meet new constraints, educators and systems developed new capabilities. Rather than snapping back to school as normal, the summer presents an iterative bridge to different and better Fall learning experiences–a chance to pilot a new course, to incubate a microschool, to start the 2021-22 year early, and move toward a balanced calendar. 

With a lot of tired and retiring teachers, staffing could be a challenge this summer. Some districts have already started reaching out to retired and pre-service teachers. Collaboration with other districts and community partners could also help address summer staffing. Some districts are even starting the school year early with more of a “jump-start” approach rather than summer school. 

Summer 2021 represents an opportunity to reconnect with and re-engage learners, to meet them where they are. It’s time to design experiences and supports with equity in mind.

For more, see:

• Stephanie Krauss on Readiness, Opportunity and the Right to a Decent Life 
• Closing the Digital Divide for Parents: A COVID-19 Story 

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