Sustaining Momentum for Summer Learning
- rsbrown3
- Apr 9
- 1 min read
With summer on the horizon, new research from The Wallace Foundation provides timely insights for the out-of-school time (OST) sector. Their latest brief, Sustaining Momentum: Summer Learning – Building Capacity and Strengthening Partnerships, highlights what many afterschool professionals already understand: high-quality summer learning is crucial for keeping young people engaged, supported, and thriving beyond the school year.
The brief emphasizes the significance of strong cross-sector partnerships, intentional program design, and sustained, diversified investment in both programs and the workforce. It reinforces that effective summer learning is not a one-time effort, but part of a comprehensive, year-round strategy to support academic, social, and emotional development.
For OST leaders and professionals, this is a pivotal moment. With summer approaching, planning now can ensure that programs are staffed, supported, and prepared to provide meaningful experiences for youth and families. As research and field experience continue to confirm, skilled professionals are the foundation of quality programs and positive youth outcomes.
We encourage our members and partners to explore this new resource and consider how its insights can enhance summer planning, partnerships, and workforce support across the field.
