Summer learning in schools is a good investment

The next phase of New Mexico’s latest round of public education reform starts this summer, with almost $76 million from the Public Education Department going to K5-Plus and extended learning time programs for 82 districts and 539 schools across the state.

Some 100,000 students across the state — about a third of all New Mexico public school students — will have better access to learning as a result. The goal? To narrow the achievement gap among different groups of students, focusing on creating opportunities for children who have had less exposure to those sorts of activities that enrich learning.

This is a smart investment — if schools, teachers and families take advantage of best practices and make summer learning

both fun and educational. After all, research shows that students from low-income families get to sixth grade with 6,000 fewer hours of the types of learning activities that lead to better educational outcomes. This is called the “opportunity gap,” and it’s that lack of opportunity that creates the achievement gap, with poorer students falling behind.

The new initiatives not only are researchbased, they are building on what has been shown to work — the K3-Plus extended school year program. It grew from 5,000 students to more than 15,000 students over the past seven years. Now, summer learning programs will reach more students, more schools and more grades, with next summer’s goal aiming to reach half of all students across the state.

Santa Fe Public Schools will be participating, and that’s a credit to Superintendent Veronica García and her team, who worked overtime to write grant proposals for these extra funds. Teachers who will work over the summer deserve special credit; they are making sure that students who otherwise might fall behind can catch up.

For families whose children will not be attending K5-Plus this summer — plus those with younger or slightly older children — don’t forget that summer can be full of other learning opportunities. One of the best places for children to spend time is the public library. It’s free and usually air-conditioned, so it’s an excellent way to beat the heat.

Registration for the Santa Fe Public Library’s summer reading program begins Monday (May 20); the program itself will run through July 21 for children under 12. This summer’s theme is “A Universe of Stories,” and children can read by themselves or adults can read to children. To receive a reading log to be returned weekly, register at one of the three branch libraries. At the end of the session, there will be a party and the chance to win a bicycle. Most importantly, children can tap into the joy of reading all summer long.

Summer should be a time of exploration for all kids, rich or poor, with books, nature and fun activities such as swimming. By investing both money and time in New Mexico’s children, all kids will have a better chance at the education these deserve — one that includes opportunity for all and an end to achievement gaps.