Summer Learning

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Research shows that summertime can widen the achievement gap between students from low-income families and their more-affluent peers. Summer learning programs are a promising way to narrow the gap. RAND researchers examine approaches and strategies for summer learning initiatives and their effects on student outcomes.

  • Multiracial group of children raising their hands in a classroom with a smiling Black woman teacher, photo by kali9/Getty Images

    Commentary

    How to Make Sure Your Summer Learning Program Is Effective

    In the best of times, it is no small feat to put together a quality summer learning program. Given that districts are focusing not only on academic recovery from COVID learning loss, but on retaining teachers, supporting students' and teachers' mental health, and addressing increases in misbehavior, they need immediate, digestible guidance for summer programming.

    Mar 30, 2022

  • High school teacher in classroom with students wearing face masks, photo by RichVintage/Getty Images

    Commentary

    Teachers Have Lost Out on Professional Development. Summer Programs Could Help

    For thousands of teachers across the United States, 2020 was a year of uncertainty. Many lacked access to their usual professional learning activities. Summer programs for students that also offer learning opportunities for teachers might help make up for lost time.

    Mar 5, 2021

Explore Summer Learning

  • A young female student writes in her notebook

    Project

    National Summer Learning Project

    RAND's research on summer learning is commissioned by the Wallace Foundation as part of its More Time for Learning initiative. One objective of this initiative is to promote high-quality summer learning programs across the country for low-achieving students.

    Jun 21, 2012

  • Two boys walking into a school

    Blog

    Can Summer Learning Programs Prevent Skill and Knowledge Loss?

    When kids go on summer vacation, their knowledge and skills suffer, with their performance dropping off, on average, one month from where they were when they left school in the spring. Such losses do not affect all kids equally, having the greatest effect on low-income students.

    Jun 20, 2012

  • Multimedia

    Making Summer Count

    RAND experts Catherine Augustine and Jennifer McCombs discuss the loss of knowledge and educational skills during summer, how summer programs can disrupt this loss, and how students who attend these programs perform better than peers who do not.

    Dec 16, 2011

  • Research Brief

    Research Brief

    Summer Counts: Making Summer Programs Part of the Learning Equation

    Summer learning programs can prevent the summertime loss of knowledge and skills that disproportionately affects low-income students. A study of existing programs resulted in targeted recommendations for school districts, policymakers, and funders.

    Jun 13, 2011

  • News Release

    News Release

    Investment in Summer Learning Programs Can Help Stop the 'Summer Slide'

    The loss of knowledge and educational skills during the summer months is cumulative over the course of a student's career and further widens the achievement gap between low- and upper-income students.

    Jun 12, 2011

  • teacher and children outside

    Report

    Investment in Summer Learning Programs Can Help Stop the Summer Slide

    The loss of knowledge and educational skills during the summer is cumulative over the course of a student's career and further widens the achievement gap between low- and upper-income students. Those who attend summer programs can disrupt that loss and do better in school.

    Jun 12, 2011

  • Research Brief

    Research Brief

    Hours of Opportunity: How Cities Can Build Systems to Improve Out-of-School-Time Programs

    Five cities that received a grant from The Wallace Foundation to increase collaboration, access, quality, information sharing, and sustainability in their out-of-school-time systems used different planning approaches to meet the initiative's goals.

    Oct 18, 2010

  • People

    People

    Susannah Faxon-Mills

  • People

    People

    Katie Tosh

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