NYC Launches Summer Program to Support Public Charter School Students with Learning Gaps – NBC New York (47)

“Whether it’s a district school or a charter school, every young person needs to be invested in, and this $50 million investment will do just that,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Many of our sons and daughters had had their learning interrupted for the past two years due to the pandemic and they deserve the opportunity to learn over the summer. This investment will help the program’s young New Yorkers have the opportunity to grow, learn and explore their talents and imaginations.”

For two years, in-person learning disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and its accompanying health-related and social effects have resulted in significant learning loss, particularly for low-income students of color. Research indicates that at the end of the 2020-21 school year, K-12 students across the country were an average of four months behind in language arts instruction and five months behind in math instruction.

Research also shows that high-quality summer learning has the potential to address these learning gaps and improve achievement in math and language arts. While New York City has expanded its program Summer Rising by 2022, serving 110,000 students in grades K-8, up more than 10 percent from last year, the philanthropic, district and charter sectors must work together to meet the needs of every student. Summer Boost NYC builds on the city’s initiative in helping charter schools, which are attended by 14 percent of New York City’s public school students, by creating or expanding summer school programs.

Who can apply for program funds?

The city’s 241 charter schools serving K-8 students are eligible to apply for funding through Summer Boost NYC to create and run programs that, on average, will provide five weeks or at least 20 days of learning. With a focus on collectively helping about 25,000 students entering grades 1-9 in fall 2022 who most need assistance, schools will have flexibility in how they use funds, allowing them to direct resources to where they are needed most, but each will offer a high-quality, half- or full-day curriculum with an eye toward improving reading levels and math fluency.

Each school will commit to measuring results and ensuring that students attend at least 80 percent of the program.

How can I apply for program funds?

Schools must submit your application here before May 4 and all schools awarded funds will be notified by May 13. More information can be found at summerboostnyc.org.

Summer Boost NYC is an initiative by Bloomberg with the support of Kenneth C. Griffin, Stan Druckenmiller, The Carson Family Charitable Trust, Robin Hood, Gray Foundation y Walentas Foundation.

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