Summer enrichment programs prove their value - by John Fensterwald
The organizers of a statewide campaign to encourage school districts to offer quality summer enrichment programs have documented gains in learning and growth in social skills that they anticipated would benefit low-income, minority students in their programs.
Through its Summer Matters initiative in a dozen communities, the Partnership for Children and Youth has promoted full-day programs that are more like summer camp than traditional summer schools. Most of the programs are partnerships between city departments of recreation and school districts.
Students at Sacramento’s summer program at Sam Brannan Middle School meet at a community garden, one of of their summer learning projects. Credit: Partnership for Children and Youth.
“Programs do not have to look like traditional summer school to get good results that are engaging and inspiring for students. There is not necessarily a better return on a boring program,” said Katie Brackenridge, senior director for Out of School Time Initiatives for the Partnership.
The evaluation of three summer programs – in Fresno, Los Angeles and Sacramento – found particular improvements in literacy skills, as measured by the San Diego Quick, a common vocabulary test. Participants
California Teachers Association turns 150 - by Kathryn Baron
The California Teachers Association is celebrating the 28th annual national Teacher Appreciation Week with a bigger milestone – the 150th anniversary of its founding. It was May 1863 when then state superintendent of schools John Swett, a passionate advocate for free public education, held a state teachers’ convention and established the California Educational Society with fewer than 100 members,...
