Summer School Strategy Guide v1

Effective PLCs are founded on the shared vision and values of improving learning outcomes for students. All PLC participants should understand that the purpose of the PLC is to determine what changes educators can make to improve student achievement.

Staff need uninterrupted blocks of time to engage in meaningful conversations that delve beyond superficial questions about instruction and toward questions that will advance student learning (e.g., How will we teach the content? How will we know if students have learned the content? How will we respond to students who have not learned?) Staff should also have ongoing, consistent meeting times for PLCs such that they are able to respond to students’ needs in a timely manner.

Provide clear expectations regarding the outcome of each meeting. Additionally, school leaders may provide agenda outlines, guiding questions, and/or protocols for teachers to use in order to effectively implement PLCs.

Intensive recruiting efforts should occur early. Ensure that there is an easy registration process, and families are notified about dates as early as possible. Ensure that there are clear attendance policies that are communicated with registration and recruitment. Make sure that there is a clearly communicated enrollment deadline.

Positive effects on student achievement occur when students participate in at least 25 hours of daily math instruction and 34 hours of daily ELA instruction. 

In order to maximize participation and attendance during summer learning experiences, ensure that summer learning experiences involve frequent peer interaction, youth voice, and a supportive environment where youth are actively learning, encouraging, reframing conflict and socially and emotionally safe. Focus on building relationships between peers and adults. Consider including activities that focus on supporting youth understanding of current events and social-emotional learning activities.

Consider including frequent engagement activities such as field trips and/or enrichment experiences. Providing increased time outside the school building may also increase engagement, including increased time and activities outside for instruction and academic activities. Partnerships with community agencies may be able to support frequent and engaging enrichment experiences. 

Services such as nutrition, healthcare and mental health support should be included as part of the summer learning experience. Consider providing summer learning opportunities free of charge, as well as providing free transportation, free meals and day-long programming options using school resources or community partnerships. 

Schools should also consider sustainability of summer programming in order to encourage consecutive summers of participation for students. Two or three summers in a row is recommended to sustain and increase the positive impact on student achievement.