Research Shows Summer Matters
by School's Out Washington | | Posted under
With funding from the Raikes Foundation, SOWA, Seattle Public Schools & the David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality worked in partnership on a research study with groundbreaking results showing a clear link between the quality of summer learning programs and the academic outcomes they produce. This study was conducted in 30 summer learning programs based in Seattle schools which provided academic support and a focus on quality utilizing the Summer Learning Program Quality Assessment. Key findings include:
- Quality Matters! Higher quality programs produce better academic outcomes.
- Quality Programs Combat Summer Learning Loss: Most youth who participated in programs showed improved math and literacy skills during the summer.
- There is Demand for Quality Summer Programs in Seattle: Youth and families speak with their feet and these programs were well attended.
Looking Forward: SOWA expects to expand the number of summer programs engaged in the Summer Learning Program Quality Assessment in 2016, both in Seattle and other regions of the state. We also anticipate further partnership on the research study to deepen our learning around summer and positive youth outcomes.
Download the complete study (PDF)
