National Summer Learning Association

Founded: 2001

Contact: Kate Shatzkin, Director of Marketing and Communications

Address:
National Summer Learning Association
800 Wyman Park Drive, Suite 110
Baltimore, MD 21211

Phone: (410) 856-1370
Fax: (410) 856-1146
E-mail: kshatzkin@summerlearning.org
URL: http://www.summerlearning.org/

Mission:
To enable schools and community organizations to deliver quality summer learning programs that help close the achievement gap and support healthy development of our nation's youth.

About the Organization:
Johns Hopkins University student Matthew Boulay created Teach Baltimore in 1992 to help Baltimore city public school students gain access to tutoring and academic support during the summer months. Not long after the program's launch, research was released that found low-income students suffer a cumulative loss of academic skills during the summer months, which contributes to high drop-out rates and a persistent achievement gap. To meet the growing need, Teach Baltimore evolved into the Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University in 2001, and in September 2009, the center became the independent National Summer Learning Association.

Current Programs:
The National Summer Learning Association works with a national network of five thousand summer learning program providers that collectively serve more than 2 million young people annually, providing professional development, quality assessment and evaluation, best practices dissemination and collaboration, and strategic consulting to states, school districts, and community organizations. It aims to increase the number of providers offering high-quality summer learning programs to young people living in poverty; boost the number of organizations and policy makers that identify summer learning as a public policy priority; and raise funds for high-quality summer learning programs for young people who currently lack choices and opportunities.

Web Site:
Registered site users can browse the organization's online library of research and publications related to summer learning; participate in online discussions; search for current job openings or post an open position via the Job Board; and register for Summer Learning Day, an annual event designed to spread the word about the importance of offering education programs when school is out of session. The National Summer Learning Association Web site also features publications authored by association members, program resources, an online store, additional information about the summer learning campaign, a list of upcoming events, and a blog.

Funding:
The National Summer Learning Association is supported by foundations and individuals.