2021 was a turning point for summer learning in this country. Catalyzed by pandemic-related interrupted instruction, a broad movement to return to in-person learning and $1.2 billion in ESSER funds (1% allocated to summer), an impressive 94% of districts provided summer learning opportunities for students.
Although ESSER funds to support learning recovery have expired, state policymakers continue to lean upon summer programming as an evidence-based strategy demonstrated to accelerate student learning. This is especially true when it’s high-quality, sufficiently timed, well-attended by students for more than one summer and part of a broader portfolio for improvement and change.
The Summer Learning Implementation Framework represents common steps states took in 2021 given their central role supporting summer learning programs for students. Through a series of decisions and actions, states prioritized summer learning and crafted a vision informed by stakeholder feedback and evidence. States translated this vision for summer learning by making decisions across four policy levers:
- Resource allocation to local education agencies (LEAs), community-based organizations, or both, using different funding mechanisms (e.g., competitive grants and formula-driven funding).
- Partnerships and local assets to promote robust programming.
- Requirements or guides for LEAs to meet state expectations for program implementation (including who may implement programs).
- Requirements around program evaluation and monitoring.
In 2021, the context for state and local actions were both logistically challenging and opportune. As the country began to emerge from the pandemic in the spring, there was little time to plan for summer learning (planning optimally begins no later than January). States had to act quickly to conceptualize their role, devise a plan, secure funds and implement with local partners. Yet there was a powerful, time-sensitive need to accelerate learning and socialization opportunities for students while there were significant funds to do so; states made it happen.
Four years later, many states have sustained and deepened their commitment to and investment in summer learning to advance broader learning priorities such as literacy and math acceleration. In their actions, we see them prioritizing summer learning, envisioning its purpose and translating that purpose through the framework’s policy levers. For example:
- The Alabama Literacy Act (ALA) requires districts to provide summer reading and summer math camps to all students identified with a deficiency in either of these subject areas up to grade five. Districts may seek funding through a range of sources, including the Education Trust Fund or grants administered by Alabama’s State Department of Education. ALSDE has developed extensive guidance for K-12 summer programming with links to evidence-based planning resources and requires districts to assess student growth in proficiency.
- Oregon passed legislation in April that provides $35 million to eligible districts, charter schools, educational service districts and Tribal Nations to support the infusion of literacy and enrichment programming into summer learning throughout the state. Participating districts must assess student growth in literacy and gather feedback from students on their experiences. Oregon’s Department of Education provides a range of evidence-based resources to guide planning and implementation of high quality summer programs.
- Tennessee’s 2021 Learning Loss Remediation and Student Acceleration Act provides funding for high quality summer learning camps as one of three interrupted instruction remediation strategies school districts and participating charter schools must offer students. Summer programs must target literacy and math and must measure student progress. The act was amended in 2023 to include differentiated summer programming for expanded grade levels indefinitely.
As states continue to play a larger role in summer learning, the ecosystem for supporting students and families has been strengthened and offers new opportunities for student learning. The Summer Learning Implementation Framework can continue to guide states as they solidify, scale, tailor and sustain summer learning strategies to respond to ongoing needs, provide opportunities and address collective priorities.
