Projects

How can summer learning programs improve student outcomes?

Understanding best approaches with the National Summer Learning and Enrichment Study

Challenge

With the passage of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) in March 2021, states and school districts have resources to address urgent learning and social-emotional needs of students, including those students disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic—which exacerbated the preexisting inequities in our education system. With robust funding from ARP to support learning acceleration efforts, and a push from the Secretary of Education to provide summer learning and enrichment programming for children across the nation, summer 2021 took on a new significance and sense of urgency for America’s children.

Solution

Westat’s National Summer Learning & Enrichment Study, conducted for the Wallace Foundation, is leading the effort to understand how states and districts responded to this call to action with a multimethod study capturing lessons about summer 2021 and intentions for summer 2022.

Results

The study results will add nationally representative findings and important descriptive additions to the evidence base on summer learning and enrichment. These baseline data will help suggest directions for future research and capacity building for summer learning and enrichment, and learning recovery more broadly, to enable equitable student success.

Insights

Deep Dive with Our Experts

view all insights
  • Perspective

    APHA 2023 Recap of Westat’s Activities

    November 2023

    Westat staff made a strong impact on the 2023 American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting & Expo, held in Atlanta, Georgia, November 12-15, 2023!…

  • Perspective

    Westat @ APHA 2023

    November 2023

    We’re eager to join our public health colleagues at the American Public Health Association (APHA)’s 2023 Annual Meeting & Expo, in Atlanta, Georgia, November 12-15,…

  • Perspective

    Playing a New Role, States Set Visions for Summer Learning

    November 2023

    To counter pandemic-related learning loss, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) in March 2021 called on state education agencies (SEAs) and school districts to deliver…

How can we help?

We welcome messages from job seekers, collaborators, and potential clients and partners.

Get in Contact

Want to work with us?

You’ll be in great company.

Explore Careers
Back to Top