Summer Learning

Discover more about student learning during the summer, including summer school and summer camps
Elementary aged girl sitting in a yellow lifesaver in a pool of very blue water reading a red book. Perspective is from above her.
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Reading & Literacy Kids Aren't Reading for Pleasure as Much. Summer Is the Time to Reverse That
When it comes to learning, reading may be the single most important activity a child can do during summer.
Elizabeth Heubeck, June 27, 2023
4 min read
Chloe Lalone, a University of Iowa student from Storm Lake, works with Yamir Banks, a soon-to-be 2nd grader, while student teaching in a classroom on June 23, 2021, at Storm Lake Middle School. The Storm Lake Community School District and Buena Vista University collaborated to have the Storm Lake university's education students student teach during a summer school program designed to help students make up for any educational time lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The student teaching opportunity was also opened up to Storm Lake school alumni who are studying education at other colleges.
Chloe Lalone, a University of Iowa student, works with Yamir Banks, a soon-to-be 2nd grader, as part of a summer school summer school program designed to help students make up for educational time lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Summer school programs nationwide typically experience high rates of absenteeism.
Tim Hynds/Sioux City Journal via AP
Student Achievement Summer Schools Can Boost Learning, But Only If Students Attend
A new study finds Tennessee, like many states, has struggles with summer school absenteeism.
4 min read
Students, activists and educators gather to listen to Shavon Arline-Bradley, the president and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women speak during the Freedom to Learn rally. Demonstrators gathered in front of the College Board Headquarters in Washington D.C. to protest the College Board’s decision to alter their African American Studies curriculum, as well as to protest book bans and other divisive actions being taken in regard to education, during the Freedom to Learn rally on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.
Students, activists and educators gather to listen to Shavon Arline-Bradley, the president and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women speak during the Freedom to Learn rally. Demonstrators gathered in front of the College Board Headquarters in Washington D.C. to protest the College Board’s decision to alter their African American Studies curriculum, as well as to protest book bans and other divisive actions being taken in regard to education, during the Freedom to Learn rally on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.
Sam Mallon/Education Week
Social Studies Q&A Amid Public School Restrictions, 'Freedom Schools' in Florida Will Teach Black History
In St. Petersburg, Fla., a summer program focuses on the diverse histories of Africans and African Americans.
Ileana Najarro, June 5, 2023
5 min read
Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
School & District Management Opinion Don’t Bewail Summer Vacation for Students, Rethink It
Students experience summer vacation differently, depending on family resources. We should rethink the tradition with that in mind.
Rick Hess, June 5, 2023
2 min read
Young girl reading a book while lying on her back on a wooden beam at a wooden dock at the lake.
iStock/Getty
Teaching Should Schools Assign Summer Homework? Educators Weigh In
It turns out that educators have differing and more nuanced ideas on whether students of all ages should get summer homework assignments.
Elizabeth Heubeck, May 30, 2023
6 min read
conceptual illustration of 2 figures atop unequal boxes of summer experiences
Vanessa Solis/Education Week + Frances Coch/iStock + Getty images
Student Achievement Opinion Effective Summer Learning: ‘We Already Know How to Do This’
There’s no path to education equity that doesn’t include summer programs.
Chris Smith & Paul Reville, May 2, 2023
3 min read
Group of elementary girls in art class coloring with markers and one girl in the back ground cutting something out of construction paper.
iStock/Getty
Budget & Finance Schools Used ESSER Funds for After-School Programs. What Happens When the Money Runs Out?
Partnerships and blending other funding streams together are two ways to sustain after-school programs, experts say.
Lauraine Langreo, April 11, 2023
6 min read
Photo of parent and child working on homework.
E+ / Getty
Families & the Community New Campaign Tries to Convince Parents That Their Kids Have Fallen Behind
A new advertising campaign in six cities aims to dispel parents' perceptions that their kids are performing at grade level.
Caitlynn Peetz, April 5, 2023
3 min read
Illustration of an adult male leader manipulating the hands of a very large clock.
iStock/Getty Images Plus
School & District Management The Learning Recovery Strategy Districts Are Overlooking
Adding more required time in the classroom remains an unpopular approach, despite evidence it can help catch kids up.
Caitlynn Peetz, November 2, 2022
9 min read
conceptual illustration of flowers growing from a student's mind
Johavel/iStock/Getty Images
Teaching Opinion Summer School Reminded Me Why I Love Teaching
I didn’t feel prepared to teach a remedial ELL class. Then it turned into one of the best experiences of my career.
Violet T. Adams, August 17, 2022
4 min read
Student Well-Being Video How Social-Emotional Learning Can Foster Student Growth
An SEL specialist in Chicago is creating a positive relationship between students and teachers, and changing how students see themselves.
Kaylee Domzalski, July 22, 2022
3:34
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona speaks at an event on June 2, 2022, at the Department of Education in Washington.
U.S. Secretary of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona speaks at an event at the Department of Education in Washington in June. The department has announced a push for expanded access to after-school and summer learning programs.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Federal Federal Initiative Leverages COVID Aid to Expand After-School, Summer Learning
The Education Department's Engage Every Student effort includes partnerships with civic organizations and professional groups.
Libby Stanford, July 14, 2022
3 min read
Gears floating away from the inner works of a silhouetted young woman
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Student Achievement What the Research Says 5 Things to Know About How the Pandemic Has Deepened Summer Learning Loss
Studies show the so-called "COVID slide" and summer learning loss can exacerbate each other, but schools can help break the cycle.
Sarah D. Sparks, July 12, 2022
5 min read
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