In Oregon, summer is another season for learning.
Recently, thanks to Gov. Tina Kotek and the State Legislature, school districts and communities throughout Oregon started shifting their campuses toward Summer Learning.
Through the state’s $30 million investment, young scholars can engage in innovative and inclusive educational opportunities over the next few months.
This funding reaches throughout the state — including 43 school districts and 13 education service districts partnering with more than 130 community organizations — and will directly impact more than 50,000 K-12 children statewide.
This isn’t just about addressing unfinished learning; it’s about reimagining summer as a season for deep, enriching learning experiences that go beyond traditional classroom walls.
Summer Learning provides hands-on, inquiry-based learning that includes everything from exploring robotics, vibrant reading discussions, and math instruction, to visits to libraries and museums and other opportunities for outdoor exploration. Summer Learning engages both head and heart.
One of the most exciting aspects of this year’s initiative is the deep involvement of communities and organizations.
From local libraries and museums offering special projects, to businesses and nonprofits providing real-world experiences, these partnerships enrich the curriculum and link students to their communities in meaningful ways.
Summer Learning, not summer school
Summer learning is a well-researched strategy for Oregon schools to increase instructional time, improve attendance and connectedness to school, and dramatically accelerate and expand learning opportunities.
Summer Learning will foster success for Oregon students by improving readiness to learn, academic growth, and providing safe, healthy, and enriching ways for children to grow during the summer months.
Unlike previous summer school models, which often carried a remedial or punitive stigma, Summer Learning is a proactive, engaging experience that includes exciting educational opportunities, community projects, and real-world applications.
Summer Learning programs are expected to deliver at least 80 hours of programming that aligns to academic content standards in math, science, language arts and financial education. Lessons will promote hands-on and project-based learning and structure the environment and communication in ways that engage families and community partners.
Accountable and sustainable
ODE has developed a framework to ensure Summer Learning programs are both impactful and measurable.
This isn’t a loosely defined program but a well-structured, purpose-driven endeavor with clear expectations.
By setting specific benchmarks and employing mechanisms for evaluation, we can ensure these experiences genuinely contribute to students’ educational trajectories.
By planfully implementing Summer Learning programs, communities can build sustainable programming that serves generations of young scholars year after year.
We can start to see shifts in outcomes for students that include both higher graduation rates as well as elevated academic performance in literacy and math.
By demonstrating the success and benefits of this summer’s programs, we aim to secure ongoing funding, ensuring that Summer Learning becomes an integral, annual part of our educational system.
Succeeding through partnership with communities and tribes
The Summer Learning grants for 2024 focus on historically underserved students and head directly to schools and school districts with pre-existing plans for summer programming while prioritizing collaboration with community partners and tribal nations.
Community input and leadership are crucial to success. Schools and districts can’t and should not, do this alone.
School districts receiving monies are required to have at least one partnership with the community.
YMCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs, Tribes, counties, cities, libraries, and other nonprofit and community organizations in communities throughout Oregon are ready to collaborate. They offer unique and vital supports and services.
Deep research backs this approach
As we consider the potential of summer as a pivotal time for learning, it’s important to recognize that the concept of Summer Learning is a well-founded strategy supported by a wealth of research.
Studies consistently demonstrate that structured Summer Learning programs substantially contribute to academic achievement and effectively narrow opportunity gaps.
This evidence confirms that students who engage in these programs not only improve core math and reading skills, but are also more likely to graduate from high school and pursue higher education.
The evidence shows that by investing in Summer Learning, we are supporting students to develop critical thinking skills, promoting social-emotional well-being, and inspiring future leaders in the community.
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