Description:

The Summer UP program, piloted in 2018, provided expanded learning opportunities for MCPS students in 3 MCPS middle schools. The program aimed to increase students’ literacy and math skills, increase students’ interest in school, and improve students’ social-emotional skills. The evaluation examined the implementation of the program, and its impact on students' mathematics and reading achievement by student subgroups.

Recommendations:

• Consider expanding the program to at least four weeks, ideally more.  Research suggests that the intensity and duration of instruction can impact student outcomes and recommends at least three hours a day in one subject, five days per week, for five to six weeks to observe an impact (Augustine, 2016; Schwartz, 2018).
• Engage with MCPS curriculum experts to ensure the Summer UP instructional program aligns with the district’s curriculum, fits within the instructional time of the summer program and differentiates activities (Schwartz, 2018).
• Ensure school staff and the enrichment staff have time to collaborate prior to the start of the program to jointly plan curriculum, understand policies and procedures related to Summer UP, and to clarify details related to budget and supply lists.  In addition, establish regular meetings between school staff and the enrichment staff during the program. 

File Name: Summer UP MS 2019.pdf (1.8MB PDF)