Summer Learning

This week I am in Chicago for the annual Summer Learning Conference. The conference, sponsored by the National Center for Summer Learning at John Hopkins University, has been a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the growing need to redefine how we look at our schools. During the keynote speeches, we have heard some disturbing statistics about the loss of learning during the summer months. This is particularly hard for students who are already having problems meeting the state standards. Students who are in the “achievement gap” can’t afford to lose ground during the summer months. The good news is that now we are starting to recognize that the traditional school model may not be working for all of our students and we are beginning to talk about ways to change. The new administration is talking about creating a dedicated funding stream that will provide new opportunities for students to participate in summer learning opportunities. We’ll keep you posted!