Guest Post: Making the Most of Your Summer Fun(ds)— Effective Planning = Effective Programs

Summer learning programs don’t have to last all summer to be effective, but they do have to be planned well to take full advantage of the available time. This includes ensuring that students actually receive the instructional time they need. In one of the largest studies of summer programs, RAND researchers found that students who received at least 25 hours of math instruction and 34 hours of English Language Arts instruction during the summer performed better than students not participating in the study. However, that same study found that students received 28-48% less instructional time than the programs intended. The biggest instructional-time-taking culprits? Classes running shorter than planned and low student attendance. Deviations from planned instruction, unplanned field trips, and other operational pain points also affected program delivery. 

Don’t let this happen to your summer program! Here are evidence-aligned tips and resources to help your program team stay on track and ultimately benefit participating youth:

1. Make sure your program schedules maximize use of instructional time. Engage the program leadership team to take a critical eye to your weekly and program schedules and make changes to minimize potential lost time. RAND recommends program leaders schedule academics in continuous blocks and that transition time be intentionally built in for travel between the farthest activities, and for bathroom, snack, and water breaks. While field trips and special onsite events are essential elements to enriching summer experiences that excite kids and families, the program schedule should reflect when these activities will take place on a weekly basis. This will help avoid interrupting or displacing planned instructional time.

Curious what evidence-aligned program schedules look like? Here’s one featured Site Schedule from a Boston YMCA-partnered program.

2. Plan logistics and content for pre-program or in-service staff training. RAND found that summer instructional staff benefit from opportunities to practice academic and enrichment lessons and positive behavior management approaches in pre-program professional development. Plan orientation content that will help set the stage for the program and its importance: the role of the program in addressing achievement and opportunity gaps, context about the students and families attending, the intended vision for the program culture, and the importance of maximizing instructional time. During the actual summer program, staff similarly benefit from regular time for planning and collaboration with peers. Consider how staff may benefit from extra time to practice the curriculum, review formative assessments, and plan for any needed shifts in instructional approach or focus. 

Want some inspiration for elements to include in your staff professional development?  This tip sheet includes ideas for the agenda, content, and logistics.

3. Work with school and program staff to create a warm, positive program culture in advance of and during the session.  RAND found that sites with an inclusive, friendly climate and engaged staff promote both positive youth experiences and regular attendance. Families, staff, and youth all benefit when programs communicate their purpose and attendance expectations with warmth, clarity, and consistency. Staff are the program’s “culture keepers.” If your program has not yet started, train front-line and instructional staff at schools to reach out to registered families about the program to limit no-shows and pump up the enthusiasm. You can also use professional development to define and model core elements of program culture to ensure these elements show up throughout the program, including during arrivals, transitions, meal times, and dismissals. Encourage site leaders to plan recognition activities and fun surprises for staff throughout the summer to model the strong community you hope they develop with students and families. 

Looking for inspiration to promote a warm, positive culture and climate that will have students eager to attend? These resources share strategies and tips that you can adapt for your program.

Pittsburgh’s Positive Site Climate Strategies:

Tip Sheet - Promoting Student Participation and Positive Experiences:

Through effective planning (or even effective tweaks to existing plans), you and your teams can deliver an effective program that helps students thrive.

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