Every Summer Counts: A Longitudinal Analysis of Outcomes from the National Summer Learning Project

A longitudinal study of voluntary summer learning programs, led by five school districts located in urban communities across the country, followed students from 3^rd to 7^th grade and found positive academic gains among the randomly assigned students to the program compared to the control group of their nonparticipating peers. After the first and second summer of program participation, program attendees outperformed control-group students. Statistically significant differences were found in math achievement after the first summer, and math, language arts, and social and emotional skills after the second summer. Researchers followed up on program participants three years after the second summer of program participation and found that while academic gains compared to average gains made in a year were no longer statistically significant, they were still large enough to be meaningful.

State Evaluation of Afterschool Programs 2019: Nita M. Lowey Iowa 21st Century Community Learning Centers

A statewide evaluation of Iowa’s 21^st Century Community Learning Center (21^st CCLC) programs found that among students regularly attending a 21st CCLC program and in need of improvement, 72 percent improved in math and 70 percent improved in English. Among regularly attending elementary schoolers identified as not proficient in reading, 25 percent achieved proficiency or higher, and among regularly attending middle and high schoolers not proficient in math, 46 percent achieved proficiency or above. Additionally, teachers reported that 79 percent of regular program participants improved their homework completion and participation in class, and 67 percent improved their behavior. 

Oregon MESA: Increasing the odds of high school graduation

A 2020 evaluation of the Oregon chapter of the Mathematics, Engineering & Science Achievement (MESA) afterschool program found positive impacts on academic achievement and high school graduation. Using a quasi-experimental design, researchers found that MESA students had higher science test scores and were significantly more likely to graduate from high school compared to their matched non-participating peers. Researchers wrote that, “This relationship suggests MESA participation has a tangible and important effect on high school graduation.” 

The Dynamic Effects of a Summer Learning Program on Behavioral Engagement in School

This quasi-experimental study examines students who attended Aim High, a voluntary summer learning program that provided academic and social and emotional learning (SEL) supports, during 2013-2014 and/or 2014-2015 to middle school students in the San Francisco Unified School District. The study analyzes how students’ participation in the program impacts both behavioral engagement and academic achievement. Evaluators found that program participants were significantly less likely to be chronically absent and suspended, as well as have slight improvements in English/language arts state assessments and school-day attendance than their peers who did not participate in Aim High. Additionally, this study found that these effects are greatest for Aim High participants who are boys and Latinx students.

Virginia Department of Education Evaluation of 21st Century Community Learning Centers 2017-2018

A 2019 evaluation of Virginia’s 21^st Century Community Learning Centers found that based on teacher-reported outcomes, an overwhelming majority of students improved their academic performance (63 percent), classroom behavior (70 percent), and homework completion and class participation (77 percent). Additionally, students indicated that the programs helped them get better grades, attend class regularly, behave in class, and “prepare for a job or career”. When comparing 21^st CCLC students to non-attendees, students receiving special education services in the programs outperformed those not in programs. 

Alaska 21st Century Community Learning Centers Statewide Evaluation Report: Fiscal Year 2018

A 2019 evaluation by Education Northwest of Alaska’s 21^st Century Community Learning Center (21^st CCLC) afterschool programs found that students who participated more regularly in programs saw greater academic and behavioral gains. Teachers surveyed reported that an overwhelming majority of students attending the program for at least 60 days saw improvements in their academic performance (72 percent), participation in class (71 percent), and ability to persevere through challenges (66 percent), as well as their ability to form positive relationships with adults (70 percent) and work collaboratively with peers (68 percent).

Nebraska 21st Century Community Learning Centers Annual Report 2017-2018

A 2019 evaluation of Nebraska’s 21^st Century Community Learning Center (21^st CCLC) programs found that, based on teacher surveys, more than 2 out of 3 regularly participating students demonstrated moderate to significant gains in math (73 percent), reading (71 percent), science (71 percent), and writing (67 percent). Teachers also reported that regular participants improved their homework completion and class participation (65 percent), classroom behavior (60 percent), and peer relations (53 percent).

New Mexico 21st Century Community Learning Centers FY2019 Evaluation Report

A 2019 evaluation of New Mexico’s 21st Century Community Learning Center (21^st CCLC) programs by the New Mexico Public Education Department found that the programs had a positive impact on students’ academic achievement. Among the students in the programs, 29 percent raised their grade by a full letter grade by the end of the school year and 49 percent of students who earned below a passing grade raised their grade by the end of the year. Additionally, 66 percent of students who earned a passing grade in the first grading period maintained their grade throughout the year. There was a high level of satisfaction of New Mexico’s 21st CCLC programs, where, 95 percent of students, family, and staff surveyed agreed that the program was of high quality. 

Washington 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program Evaluation 2017-18 Program Year

This 2019 evaluation of Washington’s 21^st Century Community Learning Centers program found that students who consistently attended programs had a higher percentage of credits earned, cumulative GPA, and a lower number of school day absences and disciplinary incidents compared to non-attendees. Additionally, most students reported that it was completely or mostly true that the program helped them improve their academic behavior (81 percent) and self-management skills (77 percent). Students who regularly attended programming for two years had statistically significant higher reading and math test scores, lower school day absences, and a higher percentage of credits earned compared to students who did not attend at these levels. This finding suggests the importance of regular and continued program participation. 

21st Century Community Learning Centers Program Fiscal Year 2018 Year End Report (Massachusetts)

A statewide evaluation of Massachusetts’s 21^st Century Community Learning Centers (21^st CCLC) program during the 2017-18 program year found that, based on teacher ratings, program participants made gains in math and reading/English language arts achievement. Teachers and program staff also noted increases in outcomes including students’ critical thinking skills, perseverance, and communication. English language learners, students receiving special education services, and economically disadvantaged students made particularly strong gains for certain outcomes.