National Summer Learning Association

The National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) is an organization in the United States that claims to aspire "for every child to be safe, healthy, and engaged in learning during the summer."[1]

History

The mission of the NSLA is “to convince, connect, and equip providers, education leaders, families, and communities to deliver high-quality summer learning opportunities to our nation’s children and youth that help close the achievement gap and support healthy development.”[2]

In 1992, Matthew Boulay, a student at Johns Hopkins University, recruited his fellow undergraduates to provide tutoring and academic support to Baltimore City public schools students during the summer months. This led to a successful program called Teach Baltimore.[3] As a result of the growing research on summer learning loss, Teach Baltimore evolved into the Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University in 2001. In September 2009, the Center transformed into the National Summer Learning Association, an independent organization.[3]

Boulay is the founder and former CEO of the National Summer Learning Association, and currently serves on the Board. He is a former elementary school teacher in New York City, he earned a PhD in Sociology and Education from Columbia University’s Teachers College and was named one of the 25 most influential people in out-of-school time learning.[4]

Activities

NSLA serves as a network hub for different summer learning programs and others interested in summer learning across the United States. According to their website, their efforts are focused on achieving the following results:[1]

  • Increase the number of providers offering high-quality summer learning programs to young people living in poverty;
  • Increase the number of organizations and policymakers that identify summer learning as a public policy priority; and
  • Increase funding for high-quality summer learning programs for young people who currently lack choices and opportunities.

Partners of the NSLA include the American Camp Association[5] and Sylvan Learning.[6]

National Summer Learning Week

National Summer Learning Week is a celebration dedicated to elevating the importance of keeping kids learning, safe, and healthy every summer, ensuring they return to school in the fall ready to succeed in the year.[7] Different themes, including Literacy, STEM, Arts, College and Career Readiness, and Nutrition and Wellness, are highlighted throughout the week, and the NSLA provides toolkits for different activities.

Summer Learning Awards

Candidates for the annual Summer Learning Awards are exceptional summer programs, models, and systems that keep children and youth learning, safe, and healthy during the critical summer months. They show strong outcomes in helping students cement the skills they have learned during the academic school year through creative curricula, unique programming, and effective family engagement strategies.[8]

The awards given out by the NSLA are:

  • New York Life Foundation Excellence in Summer Learning Award, which since 2005 has recognized enrollment-based programs employing staff who work directly with youth.[9]
  • NSLA Founder’s Award, which was established in 2015 to recognize informal programs and other non-traditional forms of summer learning innovation that are critical to serving the diverse needs of schools, families, and children.[10]
  • Climate Change Award, which is new in 2020 and aims to recognize programs that have a special focus on building awareness among youth about the climate change crisis and the importance of environmental stewardship.[11]

Reception

Media reception

NSLA has been cited in the many articles discussing summer learning loss and its implications for the achievement gap in the United States in publications including the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal.[12][13][14][15][16]

NSLA is regularly cited in a number of local newspapers in connection with recommendations for summer activities.[17][18][19]

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References
  1. "About Us". National Summer Learning Association. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  2. "About NSLA". Summer Learning. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  3. "Our History". National Summer Learning Association. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  4. "Matthew Boulay, Ph.D". Summer Learning. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  5. "Resources from the National Summer Learning Association". American Camp Association. Archived from the original on January 7, 2013. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  6. "National Summer Learning Association and Sylvan Learning Offer Solution to Boosting Summer Reading: Let Children Choose the Books". Sylvan Learning. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  7. "National Summer Learning Week - July 8-13, 2019". Summer Learning. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  8. "Summer Learning Awards". Summer Learning. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  9. "Excellence Awards | National Summer Learning Association". Summer Learning. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  10. "Excellence Awards | National Summer Learning Association". Summer Learning. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  11. "The Climate Change Award". Summer Learning. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  12. Smink, Jeff (July 27, 2011). "This Is Your Brain on Summer". New York Times. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  13. Rich, Motoko (June 30, 2013). "At Retooled Summer Schools, Creativity, Not Just Catch-Up". New York Times. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  14. Khan, Yasmeen (July 31, 2012). "Using Summer to Narrow Achievement Gap". WNYC. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  15. Strauss, Valerie; Huggins, Gary (June 19, 2012). "Untapped strategy for ed reform: summer learning". Washington Post. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  16. "Not vacation: Summer learning programs crucial". Wall Street Journal (via Associated Press). August 10, 2013. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  17. FitzGerald, Eileen (April 21, 2014). "Summer school has role, but it varies in districts". Danbury News Times. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  18. "Week of the Young Child: Keep children engaged in education over summer break". Rockford Register Star. April 12, 2014. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  19. "Nonprofit news: Golfers tee it up for children's charities". Jacksonville Daily Record. April 16, 2014. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
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