


Summer Learning Academy
Updated Apr 11 2022
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Summary
The Tuscaloosa City Schools’ (TCS) Summer Learning Program was created to combat the “summer slide” – a regression in learning among students during summer breaks from school – by providing students a wide range of learning activities to keep their minds active. Knowing that students are more likely to actively participate in activities that are fun and engaging, TCS has designed their Summer Learning Program to be high-interest and high-impact, providing teachers an opportunity to design innovative and creative ways of learning for their students.
Beyond educational achievements for students, TCS’s Summer Learning Program addresses the needs of families in Tuscaloosa in which parents and guardians do not have flexible work schedules. With a summer camp-style program, TCS provides an opportunity for students to participate in engaging activities in a safe environment. Evidence demonstrates the program's success at addressing the summer slide. Students who participate in the program outperform their peers on beginning-of-the-year assessments by an average of more than 20 points.
The program evolves as needs change over time. Current objectives include expanding programs, improving existing programs, enhancing partnerships with higher learning institutions and the business community, maximizing the use of physical space and resources in the school system, and achieving universal access and participation in programs for any child who desires to attend.
Tuscaloosa City Schools handles the administration. Please contact them for more information.
Goals and Impact
To combat the regression of student learning during the summer by providing students a wide range of learning activities to keep their minds active
To provide students with high-interest, high-impact learning experiences in a safe environment
To serve as a catalyst for sparking a culture of innovation in our school district
Project Updates
During the summer of 2021, Elevate Tuscaloosa funding allowed Tuscaloosa City Schools provided summer learning classes for 1,550 pre-K through third students!
You can read more in the article found here.
Testimonials
“Thank you for letting Mrs. Crawford and Mrs. Smith teach me in summer school. I liked talking to a lot of my friends and learning new things like area and perimeter. Thank you for everything.”
- Camryn, Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary Student
“Summer learning changes everything for our students. I’m so thankful to be a part of the Tuscaloosa City Schools system because we have made summer learning a core strategy for our district and aim to provide high-quality programs for ALL students. We couldn’t do what we do without the support of the City of Tuscaloosa and Elevate.”
- Dr. Andrew Maxey, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Tuscaloosa City Schools
Timeline
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Key Milestones & Events
Up Next:
Completed:
Project Materials
Costs
Cost Summary
Spent:
$505,000
Approved:
$780,000
Budget:
$3,042,174
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Spent: The amount paid on this project to-date.
Approved: The amount that has been approved by the City Council to be spent for a specific contract or purpose on this project. In city accounting terms, this is spent + encumbered.
Budget: The total amount of money that the City expects to be spent to complete this project. This amount is only finalized once sufficient planning on the project has been completed.
Financial Information
Cost Details
Elevate Tuscaloosa Fund: City funds dedicated to Elevate Tuscaloosa which are allocated to this project.
Other City Funds: City funds from non-Elevate Tuscaloosa sources allocated to this project.
External Funding: Amounts from sources outside of the city, such as grants, or donations from citizens or private companies.
Overall Funding
Funding Summary
Elevate Tuscaloosa Fund:
$505,000
Other City Funds:
$0
External Funding:
$0
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