When the schoolhouse doors close on the last day of the school year, students are looking forward to a carefree summer. But they are at danger for summer learning loss and can lose critical knowledge and skills over the warm months. Low-income students are disproportionately affected and can lose months in reading skills, far more than their higher income peers. These knowledge losses can build up over time, leaving students farther behind academically and less prepared to achieve in school and beyond. As we work to improve education and social outcomes for Baltimore youth, a summer learning strategy is key to ensuring their academic success.
To combat summer learning loss for Baltimore youth, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s Youth Cabinet, of which Family League and Baltimore City Public Schools are members, created Baltimore City Super Summer. This effort brings agencies together in an unprecedented coordination and outreach effort to ensure that every agency presents a full slate of activities—including learning and free meals as well as library and recreation programs—to every student and parent seeking summer services or programs. That slate includes Baltimore City Public Schools’ Read to Succeed and Read to Succeed Plus!, half- and full-day programs for students entering grades 1 – 4 who have been identified as needing reading support. Funded by area foundations, this early and smart investment will pay off as students return to school ready to learn and take on new academic challenges.
In addition to Baltimore’s Family League, Mayor’s Office and City Schools, Baltimore City Super Summer partners include Baltimore Housing, Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks, Enoch Pratt Free Library, National Summer Learning Association, Parks & People Foundation, Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, Mayor’s Office of Employment Development and others.
Along with our partners, we are proud to recognize Summer Learning Day on June 21, and look forward to an exciting Baltimore City Super Summer!
