A Beach Bag Full of Summer Learning Resources

By AdLit.org (2008)

Did you know that two-thirds of the academic achievement gap between disadvantaged students and their higher-achieving peers is attributable to how they spend their summers? Learning shouldn't stop when school is out, so we offer you a veritable beach bag of ideas to help keep students engaged and challenged during the summertime.

Finding a Great Summer Program: A Checklist for Parents

By John Hopkins University, Center for Summer Learning (2008)

Best Practices for Adolescent Literacy in Afterschool and Summer Programs

By John Hopkins University, Center for Summer Learning (2007)

The Center for Summer Learning examines the characteristics of effective summer learning opportunities, gives examples of high-quality programs, and presents an agenda for improving such programs.

Engaging Family and Community in Afterschool and Summer Programs

By John Hopkins University, Center for Summer Learning (2007)

Community and family support can emphasize (or deemphasize) the importance of reading and writing, build confidence, influence young people's literacy habits, and encourage youth to seek out ways to engage in literate activities. This article offers strategies to develop community engagement.

Professional Development Helps Out-Of-School Time Staff Support Adolescent Literacy

By John Hopkins University, Center for Summer Learning (2007)

This article from the Center for Summer Learning examines how professional development opportunities can help staff of out-of-school time programs engage young adults in literacy activities.

The Impact of After-School Programs That Promote Personal and Social Skills

By Joseph A. Durlak and Roger P. Weissberg (2007)

This meta-analysis of 73 programs finds that after-school activities can have a positive impact on children’s personal and social skills, including problem-solving, conflict resolution, self-control, leadership, responsible decision-making, and self-esteem. Youth who participate in after-school programs show significant improvement in their feelings, behavior, and school performance. Research demonstrates that the most effective programs are SAFE (sequential, active, focused and explicit).

Afterschool Achievement: Strengthening Literacy and Other Skills

By Geoffrey Alan (2006)

What can afterschool programs offer that the regular school day can't? To build literacy skills and school achievement, think outside the classroom.

High-Performing Afterschool Programs Share Five Characteristics

By Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (2006)

Afterschool programs have been found to contribute to school success. Find out more about the characteristics that all strong programs share.

Out-of-School Time Reading Programs

By Kirsten Miller, David Snow and Patricia Lauber (2004)

Reading instruction does not need to stop when the bell rings. Using out-of-school time (OST) can be an effective way to boost academic skills while engaging students outside of the classroom. Education research lab McREL reviews effective afterschool and summer programs that focus on reading, and identifies the components that make them successful.

On Summer Loss

By John Hopkins University, Center for Summer Learning (2002)

The Center for Summer Learning compiled this quick review of statistics on summer learning loss.