The School District of Philadelphia's Summer Achievers program engages around 5,200 students with a mix of math and English language arts instruction followed by recreational activities. This program, created in response to pandemic-related learning losses, utilizes federal funding to enhance summer learning opportunities. However, the expiration of this funding poses challenges, leading to potential reductions in program offerings. National trends indicate that while many superintendents plan to sustain or increase summer program funding, a significant portion also plans to cut back.
Ra'laya Myers, a 13-year-old student in North Philadelphia, expressed her enthusiasm for the Summer Achievers program, stating, "Everybody is like, literally, family here. It's a safe space." This highlights the program's community feel, making it a welcoming environment for students.
Each day at the Summer Achievers program includes around four hours of instructional time focused on math and English language arts, followed by engaging activities such as arts and crafts and sports, ensuring students have a balanced and enjoyable learning experience.
The School District of Philadelphia expanded its summer programs in response to learning losses from the pandemic, utilizing nearly $10 billion in federal funding for after-school and summer learning programs. However, this funding is set to expire, leading to potential limitations on program availability.
A national survey revealed that while 66% of school superintendents plan to maintain their summer learning budgets, 16% intend to increase funding, with 18% reporting they will reduce spending, indicating varied approaches to funding summer educational programs.
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