Making summer count : how summer programs can boost children's learning / / Jennifer Sloan McCombs ... [et al.].

• Author: Rand Education (Institute); McCombs, Jennifer Sloan, 1970-
• TeilnehmendeR: McCombs, Jennifer Sloan, 1970-; Rand Education (Institute); Wallace Foundation.
• Year of Publication: 2011
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Series: Rand Corporation monograph series Making summer count
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (119 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.

Research has shown that students' skills and knowledge often deteriorate during the summer months, with low-income students facing the largest losses. School districts and summer programming providers can benefit from the lessons learned by other programs in terms of developing strategies to maximize program effectiveness and quality, student participation, and strategic partnerships and funding.

Table of Contents

Cover Page; Title Page; Copyright Page; Preface; Contents; Figures; Tables; Summary; Acknowledgments; Abbreviations; Chapter One: Introduction; Policy Context; Research Questions; Summer Learning Programs and Site Selection; Analytic Approach; Conceptual Framework; Data and Methods; Study Limitations; Organization of This Monograph; Chapter Two: Time, Learning, Learning Decay, and Summer Learning Loss..; General Relationship Between Time and Learning; Time and Learning in and out of School; Summer Learning Loss; Average Summer Loss of Learning; Differences by Family Income

Cumulative Effects of Summer Learning LossDifferences by Subject and Grade Level; Conclusions; Chapter Three: Effectiveness of Summer Learning Programs; Effectiveness of Summer Learning Programs; Overall Effectiveness; Subject; Demographic Groups; Grade; Attendance; Long-Term Effects; Nonacademic Outcomes; Components of Quality Summer Learning Programs; Smaller Class Sizes; Differentiated Instruction; High-Quality Instruction; Aligned School-Year and Summer Curricula; Engaging and Rigorous Programming; Maximized Participation and Attendance; Sufficient Duration; Involved Parents

Evaluations of EffectivenessConclusions; Chapter Four: Costs of Summer Programming; Evidence from the Literature; Cost Estimates for Select Summer Learning Programs; Sources of Cost Variation Across Programs; Core Services: Central Office and Site-Based Instructional and Administrative Costs; Supportive Services: Meals, Facilities, and Transportation; How Summer Costs Compare to School-Year Costs; Financial Sources for Summer School Programming; Federal Funding Sources; State Funding Sources; Private Funding Sources; Putting It All Together: Achieving Stable Funding Streams; Conclusions

Chapter Five: Creating and Maintaining Summer Learning Programs: Lessons from the FieldPurposes and Commitments; Overcoming Barriers to Launching and Maintaining Programs; Early Challenges; Ongoing Challenges; Barriers to Scale; Overcoming Barriers; Quality Program Components; Smaller Class Sizes and Differentiated Instruction; High-Quality Instruction; Aligned School-Year and Summer Curricula; Engaging and Rigorous Programming; Maximized Participation and Attendance; Sufficient Duration; Involved Parents; Evaluations of Effectiveness; Lessons on Where and How to Offer Programs; Conclusions

Chapter Six: Conclusions and RecommendationsRecommendations for Districts and Providers; Invest in Highly Qualified Staff and Early Planning; Embed Promising Practices into Summer Learning Programs; Consider Partnerships When Developing Summer Learning Programs; Think Creatively About Funding; Recommendations for Policymakers and Funders; Extend the Research Base; Support Consistent Funding Sources for Summer Learning Programs; Provide Clear Guidance Regarding the Use of Scarce Funds; Appendix: Approach to Cost Estimates for Summer Learning Programs; References