Summer Learning Opportunties in High Poverty Schools

Posted by on June 3, 2005

[posted from Public Education Network newsblast]

SUMMER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES IN HIGH-POVERTY SCHOOLS

The Extended Learning Opportunities Project announces the release of a new publication on summer learning, “Summer Learning Opportunities in High Poverty Schools.” The report profiles five summer learning programs that have contributed to improved student achievement in high-poverty schools. The profiles illustrate common elements of success or “best practices” in implementing high-quality summer learning programs. Examples of best practices include: (1) Summer program planning involves all stakeholders: district leaders, school administrators, teachers, parents, community members, and support staff; (2) The summer curriculum integrates the standards and goals of the school-year curriculum; (3) Multiple federal, state, and local funding sources are used; (4) Program design is based on analysis of student performance data and student outcomes are utilized to plan for continuous improvement; (5) Teachers are provided pre-program and ongoing professional development focused on the instructional goals of the summer curriculum; and (6) Summer programs coordinate with community groups to provide wraparound complements, so that children have a full-day option. This publication was made possible by a grant from the C.S. Mott Foundation to the Council of Chief State School Officers.

http://www.ccsso.org/publications/details.cfm?PublicationID=264.