Even though the school year is coming to an end, learning is only just beginning. Thanks to programs like the Community Music Center of Boston, South End Boston youth will avoid the summer slide. Some of the most valuable skills students need to succeed can be taught anytime and anywhere.

The Boston Summer Learning Community is a rich citywide network of summer learning programs that aim to close the opportunity gap; advance a year-round learning system; and improve the skills associated with school, college, and career success. Co-managed by Boston Public Schools and nonprofit Boston After School & Beyond, the initiative served 5,600 students across 79 program sites in 2015.

Last July, Mayor Walsh and Superintendent Chang set an ambitious citywide goal to expand the Boston Summer Learning Community, challenging program leaders to enroll 10,000 school children in 100 summer learning programs by 2017. At the press conference held this past May, Walsh announced that this goal was shattered one year ahead of schedule. This summer, over 11,000 school children are expected to participate across 120 different program sites in Greater Boston.

One such program is the Community Music Center of Boston, which provides summer arts and music programs for 60 students in South Boston. Each of these programs have a deep focus on the arts, with specific emphasis on music, movement, art, dance and drama.

"Students walk away from these programs with a new skill and sense of self expression," explained Brent Parrish, leader with the Community Music Center of Boston.
Another program is St. Stephen's Church Youth Programs, which organizes efforts between the church and local schools alongside of the B-Safe summer program to support learning opportunities to over 650 students from Dorchester, Mattapan and the South End.

"This program seeks to build a community where all people feel safe, big and connected, and each summer site includes academic programs in reading, writing, math, visual and performing arts workshops, science activities, recreational activities and field trips around Boston," said Jeremy Kazanjian-Amory, leader at St. Stephen's.

Research shows that, on average, students lose knowledge and skills over the summer months, and that this phenomenon - known as "summer slide" - has a disproportionate, cumulative effect on low-income youth. Through the expansion of the Boston Summer Learning Community, more students will have access to high quality summer learning programs.

This landmark announcement comes on the heels of recent statewide legislation and rigorous research that shows that high quality summer learning programs can improve student outcomes. In March the Joint Committee on Education reported favorably on House Bill 4033 - An Act to increase access to high quality summer learning opportunities, referring it to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

This bill would vastly expand research-based summer learning opportunities across the Commonwealth by establishing a pilot grant program for districts with high concentrations of low-income students.

H.4033 authorizes the creation of public-private partnerships to serve high-need students through summer learning programs that offer at least 150 hours of programming with a dual focus on academics and college readiness skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and perseverance.

The legislation features a cost-sharing agreement that would leverage support among the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, local school districts, private funders, and nonprofit institutions.