Posted 21 December 2011
Summer Matters, Now
The Partnership and Superintendent Torlakson convene Calif. superintendents to strategize around summer-learning programs
On Dec. 1 in San Diego, Partnership for Children and Youth and California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson convened school superintendents from across California to talk about summer learning. The roundtable of education leaders discussed and strategized around ways that school districts can expand access to quality summer-learning programs in 2012.
Why talk about summer in December?
Because, when not addressed, the devastating effects of summer learning loss are ongoing and cumulative, affecting students' performance throughout the whole of their academic career. It's essential to start planning well in advance to deliver effective summer-learning programs.
- Read more at Huffington Post >>
Posted 08 December 2011
Senator Mark DeSaulnier Receives Champion of Summer Learning Award
National Summer Learning Association honors Sen. DeSaulnier for his work to expand access to summer programs
Congratulations to Senator Mark DeSaulnier on receiving the Champion of Summer Award from the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA). At the opening night reception for the 2011 National Summer Learning Conference in San Francisco, NSLA interim CEO Matthew Boulay presented Sen. DeSaulnier with the award in honor of the senator’s ongoing efforts to improve the quality of, and expand access to, summer-learning programs throughout California.
Partnership for Children and Youth has worked closely with Sen. DeSaulnier for a number of years in support of summer learning and enrichment. The Partnership staffed the State Legislative Task Force on Summer and Intersession Enrichment, chaired by Sen. DeSaulnier. In 2010 and 2011, respectively, we worked with Sen. DeSaulnier on Senate Bill 798 and Senate Bill 429. Both bills, now signed into law, expand access to summer-learning programs for low-income children and youth in California.
Congratulations to Sen. DeSaulnier and his dedicated staff on this well-earned summer-learning award.
Posted 21 October 2011
ESEA Amendment Strengthens 21st CCLC And Supports Community Partners, Local Choice and Expanded Learning Time
The Partnership and CBASS worked closely with Sen. Whitehouse to draft legislation that maintains support for after-school and summer programs, and community partners
Last week the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee introduced a draft ESEA bill that is currently being debated on Capitol Hill. Last night, Oct. 20, 2011, the HELP Committee passed an ESEA reauthorization bill by a vote of 15-7.
We’re pleased to share that the Partnership, as part of an effort by the Collaborative for Building After School Systems (CBASS), worked closely with the office of Senator Whitehouse to introduce an amendment to the HELP bill that supports and strengthens 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) in ESEA reauthorization. There is much work still to be done in the reauthorization process, but this is an important step in maintaining 21st CCLC and supporting out-of-school-time programs as ESEA reauthorization unfolds.
The legislative changes ensure that ESEA supports expanded learning time and high-quality after-school and summer programs that include community partners and local choice. Here are some of the key elements of the amendment in support of 21st CCLC:
- No federal preference or priority on which approach (after-school, summer, expanded learning for some kids, expanded learning for all kids) will be used.
- Support for community partners. The amendment strengthens the community-partner requirement, with only a narrow exception for particular rural communities for whom the requirement would be a significant hardship.
- Clarity on who can be a fiscal agent. The Whitehouse amendment ensures that either the district or nonprofit partner can be the lead fiscal agent.
- Support for quality programs as well as innovation. New language ensures that effective and innovative approaches to programs can be utilized by grantees.
We’ll continue to work to strengthen 21st CCLC as ESEA moves forward. Among the areas on which we and CBASS will focus is clarifying the definition of expanded learning time to make sure it’s inclusive of enrichment activities, community partners and is focused on ELT design, not whole school redesign.
To learn more about our vision for 21st CCLC in ESEA reauthorization, please refer to the CBASS letter of Oct. 13 to Senators Harkin and Enzi in response to the draft HELP bill.
- Download the CBASS response letter >>
Updated 10 October 2011
Gov. Brown Signs SB 429 Into Law, Expanding Summer Learning Access in California
Senator DeSaulnier’s legislation increases flexibility in use of ASES and 21st CCLC funds
We’re very pleased to share that on Oct. 8, 2011, Governor Brown signed into law State Senator Mark DeSaulnier’s summer-learning legislation, Senate Bill 429.
SB 429 increases flexibility around the use of After School Education and Safety (ASES) and 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) summer supplemental grants in order to maximize student attendance and increase student learning.
Thank you to everyone for your crucial support for this bill as it made its way through the Legislature and to the Governor's desk.
SB 429 was sponsored by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and co-sponsored by Partnership for Children and Youth, and Children Now. Sen. DeSaulnier is a longtime partner in our efforts to expand access to summer-learning programs in California.
This is Sen. DeSaulnier’s third consecutive piece of legislation on summer learning, work for which he has received an honor from the National Summer Learning Association.
About SB 429
SB 429 increases flexibility around the use of summer ASES and 21st CCLC supplemental grants in order to maximize student attendance and increase student learning. SB 429 provides creative solutions to improving services to children in a time of diminished resources—with no additional cost to the state.
SB 429 was sponsored by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, and co-sponsored by Partnership for Children and Youth, and Children Now.
Senate Bill 429 is important to efforts to decrease the impact of summer learning loss by giving existing recipients of state and federal after school grants flexibility in how they spend summer supplemental grants. This legislation will:
- Allow programs to operate an extended program for six hours per day. The extended program hours are critical to provide a more comprehensive program that supports the needs of parents and students.
- Allow students from the entire district to enroll in the summer program. This will accommodate students at low-income schools that may not have supplemental grant funds to run summer programming.
- Clarify that programs may operate off-site. As schools become more likely to close their doors during the summer months, utilizing an alternate location is important to the success of the program.
Download an SB 429 fact sheet >>
Read the text of SB 429 as chaptered >>
Updated 12 September 2011
SB 429 is Headed to the Governor for Consideration; Letters of Support are Needed ASAP
Summer learning bill passes the full Calif. Assembly and Senate
We’re pleased to share that Senate Bill 429 (DeSaulnier) passed the full Calif. Assembly on Sept. 8, 2011, by a vote of 42–20. The following day, SB 429 passed the full Senate, 30-9. The summer learning bill will now go to the Governor’s desk for consideration.
Authored by Senator Mark DeSaulnier, SB 429 increases flexibility around the use of summer ASES and 21st CCLC supplemental grants in order to maximize student attendance and increase student learning. SB 429 provides creative solutions to improving services to children in a time of diminished resources—with no additional cost to the state.
Letters of Support Needed Immediately
Please fax letters of support to Governor Jerry Brownas soon as possible. We've prepared a template support letter that you can use:
- Download an SB 429 support letter >>
Thank you for your support of this important summer learning legislation.
About SB 429
SB 429 is sponsored by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, and co-sponsored by Partnership for Children and Youth, and Children Now.
Senate Bill 429 is important to efforts to decrease the impact of summer learning loss by giving existing recipients of state and federal after school grants flexibility in how they spend summer supplemental grants. This bill would:
- Allow programs to operate an extended program for six hours per day. The extended program hours are critical to provide a more comprehensive program that supports the needs of parents and students.
- Allow students from the entire district to enroll in the summer program. This will accommodate students at low-income schools that may not have supplemental grant funds to run summer programming.
- Clarify that programs may operate off-site. As schools become more likely to close their doors during the summer months, utilizing an alternate location is important to the success of the program.
Download an SB 429 fact sheet >>
Read the text of SB 429 as amended Aug. 26, 2011 >>
Posted 30 August 2011
SB 429 Passes Assembly Appropriations
Summer learning bill now moves to the full Assembly Floor
On Aug. 26, 2011, Senate Bill 429 (DeSaulnier) passed the Calif. Assembly Appropriations Committee on a vote of 12–5. Next, SB 429 will be considered on the Assembly Floor, and if successful, would then go to the Governor’s desk.
Authored by Senator Mark DeSaulnier, SB 429 increases flexibility around the use of summer ASES and 21st CCLC supplemental grants in order to maximize student attendance and increase student learning.
At an earlier reading before Appropriations on Aug. 17, the bill was referred to the suspense file so that recommended amendments to the bill’s language could be completed. You can read the amended version, as passed, here.
About SB 429
SB 429 is sponsored by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, and co-sponsored by Partnership for Children and Youth, and Children Now.
Senate Bill 429 is important to efforts to decrease the impact of summer learning loss by giving existing recipients of state and federal after school grants flexibility in how they spend summer supplemental grants. This bill would:
- Allow programs to operate an extended program for six hours per day. The extended program hours are critical to provide a more comprehensive program that supports the needs of parents and students.
- Allow students from the entire district to enroll in the summer program. This will accommodate students at low-income schools that may not have supplemental grant funds to run summer programming.
- Clarify that programs may operate off-site. As schools become more likely to close their doors during the summer months, utilizing an alternate location is important to the success of the program.
Download an SB 429 fact sheet >>
Read the text of SB 429 as amended Aug. 26, 2011 >>
Posted 04 August 2011
Jennifer Peck Writes in the HuffPost About Bringing STEM to Summer Learning Programs
Jennifer Peck, executive director of Partnership for Children and Youth, blogs on Huffington Post about California's leardership role in making science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) priorities in summer learning and enrichment programs.
Posted 19 July 2011
Q&A: How States Can Improve Summer Learning
Education Week Beyond School blog featuring the Partnership's Jennifer Peck
Jennifer Peck of Partnership for Children and Youth discusses Calif.'s State Legislative Task Force on Summer and Intersession Enrichment, and creative strategies and resources for increasing access to summer learning programs.
Posted 06 July 2011
Why Summer Learning Matters
Beyond the Headlines, ABC-7 KGO-TV, San Francisco
Watch as the Beyond the Headlines TV program looks at how summertime could be dangerous to the physical and academic health of our low-income youth. They lack the fundamental resources and traditional opportunities most families associate with this time of year. (The program aired June 12, 2011 on ABC-7 KGO-TV, San Francisco.)
The show features Katie Brackenridge, Director, Out of School Time Initiatives, Partnership for Children and Youth.
Posted 06 July 2011
Thank You to Everyone for Summer Learning Day in Sacramento
Thanks to the many elected officials, honored guests and supporters who made the Summer Matters event in Sacramento on June 21 a great success
Special thanks to Ali Medina and the students from Mt. Diablo, Asha Mehta and students from the San Francisco Beacon programs, and Zenae Scott and Miamah Reed and the Sacramento City students.
Take a look at video and photos on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
- Learn more | Download the press release >>
Also, here's a great video and article by Katy Murphy of the Oakland Tribune.
Posted 19 June 2011
Join Us June 21 at the Capitol in Sacramento for California's Flagship Summer Learning Day Celebratory Event
Participants will include State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and Senator Mark DeSaulnier
National Summer Learning Day is a celebration of the importance of summer learning programs, and their effectiveness in preventing student summer learning loss and engaging students in meaningful educational enrichment activities during the summer months.
California’s flagship Summer Learning event will be held on Tuesday, June 21st at the Capitol. Middle school students from summer learning programs in the region will visit the State Capitol and conduct a series of interviews with elected officials and community leaders about their favorite summer learning experiences.
Participants will include Senator Mark DeSaulnier and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson.
Join Us!
Please join us beginning at 10:00am on the South Steps of the Capitol. Throughout the day you’ll have the opportunity to participate in video interviews with students, and to engage with teachers, parents, students, media and business, civic and nonprofit leaders. If you can’t make it earlier, please stop by for lunch at noon. Thank you.
Event Details
What: Summer Matters Celebration of National Summer Learning Day
When: Tue. June 21, 2011, beginning at 10:00am
Where: The Capitol, Sacramento
Learn more
- Download an event invitation >>
- Learn more about why Summer Matters >>
- Find SummerMatters2You on Facebook >>
- Follow SummerMatters2You on Twitter >>
updated 07 June 2011
SB 429 (DeSaulnier) Summer Learning Bill Passes the Calif. Senate Floor
On to the Assembly
On June 1, 2011, Senate Bill 429 (DeSaulnier) passed the full Senate by a 26-12 vote. Authored by Senator Mark DeSaulnier, SB 429 increases flexibility around the use of summer ASES and 21st CCLC supplemental grants in order to maximize student attendance and increase student learning.
SB 429 is sponsored by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, and co-sponsored by Partnership for Children and Youth, and Children Now.
Next, SB 429 goes to the Assembly Education Committee for consideration. Thank you to everyone for your support of this bill and for helping to emphasize the importance of summer learning programs in California.
About SB 429
Senate Bill 429 is important to the efforts to decrease the impact of the summer learning loss by giving existing recipients of state and federal after school grants flexibility in how they spend summer supplemental grants. This bill would:
- Allow programs to operate an extended program for 6-hours per day. The extended program hours are critical to provide a more comprehensive program that supports the needs of parents and students;
- Allow students from the entire district to enroll in the summer program. This will accommodate students at low-income schools that may not have supplemental grant funds to run summer programming; and
- Clarify that programs may operate off-site. As schools become more likely to close their doors during the summer months, utilizing an alternate location is important to the success of the program.
Read | Senator DeSaulnier's SB 429 Media release >>
Download | SB 429 fact sheet >>
Read | SB 429 as amended Apr. 26, 2011 >>
Thank you for your support. We'll keep you updated on the progress of SB 429 and other key education bills.
Posted 26 May 2011
SB 429 (DeSaulnier) Summer Learning Bill Passes Calif. Senate Appropriations
Next up is the Senate Floor
We’re pleased to announce that today, May 26, 2011, Senate Bill 429 (DeSaulnier) passed through the Calif. Senate Appropriations Committee. Authored by Senator Mark DeSaulnier, SB 429 increases flexibility around the use of summer ASES and 21st CCLC supplemental grants in order to maximize student attendance and increase student learning.
SB 429 is sponsored by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, and co-sponsored by Partnership for Children and Youth, and Children Now.
Next, SB 429 goes to the Senate Floor. Thank you to everyone for your support of this bill and for helping to emphasize the importance of summer learning programs in California.
- Learn more in our eNewsletter >>
Posted 16 May 2011
Jennifer Peck Writes on SFGate.com City Brights about Summer Learning Loss and the Achievement Gap
The Partnership's Executive Director is the San Francisco Chronicle's newest blogger
"While many Bay Area families are planning summers filled with educationally enriching activities for their kids, the vast majority of low-income children in the Bay Area, and around California, lack access to meaningful summer learning opportunities," writes Jennifer Peck as she begins her tenure as the newest blogger on the San Francisco Chronicle SFGate.com's City Brights.
City Brights are prominent local citizens and experts with a unique Bay Area perspective.
- Read the article online >> | Download a copy >>
Posted 02 May 2011
Partnership Executive Director Jennifer Peck Writes in the Huffington Post about Why Summer Learning Matters
We’re pleased to announce that Jennifer Peck, Executive Director of Partnership for Children and Youth, is officially one of the newest bloggers on the Huffington Post.
To kick things off, Jennifer has written about the importance of summer learning and enrichment programs, with reference to our eight Packard summer communities. Please stay tuned for future HuffPo articles by Jennifer on a range of education topics.
- Read the HuffPost article online >> | Download a copy >>
updated 15 April 2011
SB 429 (DeSaulnier) Summer Learning Bill Passes Senate Education Committee
Next stop is Senate Appropriations
On Apr. 13, 2011, Senate Bill 429 (DeSaulnier) passed through the Senate Education Committee by a 7–1 vote. Authored by Senator Mark DeSaulnier, SB 429 increases flexibility around the use of summer ASES and 21st CCLC supplemental grants in order to maximize student attendance and increase student learning.
SB 429 is sponsored by Superintendent of Public Education Tom Torlakson, and co-sponsored by Partnership for Children and Youth, and Children Now.
Next, SB 429 goes before the Senate Appropriations Committee. Thank you to everyone who was able to send letters of support on a tight deadline.
About SB 429
Senate Bill 429 is important to the efforts to decrease the impact of the summer learning loss by giving existing recipients of state and federal after school grants flexibility in how they spend summer supplemental grants. This bill would:
- Allow programs to operate an extended program for 6-hours per day. The extended program hours are critical to provide a more comprehensive program that supports the needs of parents and students;
- Allow students from the entire district to enroll in the summer program. This will accommodate students at low-income schools that may not have supplemental grant funds to run summer programming; and
- Clarify that programs may operate off-site. As schools become more likely to close their doors during the summer months, utilizing an alternate location is important to the success of the program.
Read | Senator DeSaulnier's SB 429 Media release >>
Read | SB 429 fact sheet >>
Download | SB 429 as amended Apr. 4, 2011 >>
Thank you for your support. We'll keep you updated on the progress of SB 429 and other key education bills.
Posted 13 January 2011
Jennifer Peck Appointed Director of Transition Team for State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Tom Torlakson’s Transition Advisory Team is a bipartisan group of educators, and labor, business and community leaders
Partnership for Children and Youth is excited to share the news that Executive Director Jennifer Peck begins the New Year as Director of the Transition Advisory Team for Tom Torlakson, newly-elected California State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Mr. Torlakson took office on Jan. 3, 2011. The Transition Team will provide strategic advice on key issues impacting California students, schools, school districts and the California Department of Education.
In addition to her ever-growing responsibilities at the Partnership, Jennifer will devote roughly one day a week to the Superintendent’s office for the next few months. As director of the transition effort, Jennifer is responsible for ensuring that the 50-member Transition Team carries out its work in a timely, efficient and effective manner. She is also uniquely positioned to provide specific recommendations on after school and summer programs, as well as on community schools.
The Transition Team is co-chaired by Professor Linda Darling-Hammond of Stanford and David Rattray of UNITE LA.
- Learn more about the Transition Team | CDE news release >>
Jennifer Hicks Joins the Partnership Staff
Jen steps into a newly-created position, technical assistance manager
Please join us in welcoming Jennifer Hicks as the newest staff member here at the Partnership. Jen takes on the role of technical assistance manager, a new position that will provide training, consultation and coaching to after school and summer programs.
After starting with us on Jan. 3 (her birthday, by the way), Jen hit the ground running by taking on a new and innovative strand of the Partnership’s work—providing support for out-of-school-time programs in low-income housing developments.
Prior to joining the Partnership, Jen spent six years working on after school programs with the YMCA of the East Bay. She has also worked in the Oakland Unified School District’s Complementary Learning office.
Posted 01 December 2010
State Task Force on Summer Ratifies Findings and Recommendations
Policy recommendations on summer learning will go to the Governor, the Legislature and the Superintendent of Public Instruction
Chaired by Senator Mark DeSaulnier, and established and staffed by Partnership for Children and Youth, the State Legislative Task Force on Summer and Intersession Enrichment was designed to examine existing research and data, and produce a set of recommendations on what the state’s role should be in addressing the educational and health needs of California's children in the summertime.
On Nov. 29, 2010, the Task Force ratified its findings and recommendations for submission to the Governor, the Legislature and the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
In 2011, we at the Partnership will work to move forward the most actionable policy recommendations from the Legislative Task Force. We’ll also focus on implementing strategies to increase public awareness about summer learning to make it a higher-priority policy issue in Sacramento.
- Read the findings and recommendations >>
- Learn more about the Task Force on Summer and Intersession Enrichment >>
Posted 26 October 2010
We’re Hiring | Technical Assistance Manager
Position will provide training, coaching and consultation to after-school and summer programs
We’re adding a new position to our team here at Partnership for Children and Youth. Please pass on the Technical Assistance Manager job description to interested friends and colleagues.
About the Job
The Technical Assistance Manager will provide training, coaching and consultation to after-school and summer programs across the nine counties of the Bay Area. Specific areas of focus will include:
- Supporting after-school providers (including residential services providers) in affordable housing projects in improving the quality of their out-of-school-time programs, and where appropriate, building partnerships with other technical assistance providers and networks.
- Supporting summer programs in improving and expanding their programs.
The TA Manager will also participate in developing and implementing other technical-assistance initiatives to strengthen Bay Area after-school and summer programs. When needed, he/she will also participate in the development of targeted low-income communities’ applications for state and federal after-school grants.
To Apply
Please send a resume and cover letter to Beth Zygielbaum at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by mail at 1611 Telegraph Ave., Suite 404, Oakland CA 94612
- Learn more about the TA Manager position | Download the full job description >>
Posted 29 September 2010
Governor Schwarzenegger Signs SB 798 (DeSaulnier)
The bill is sponsored by Partnership for Children and Youth
Governor Schwarzenegger's office has sent word that the governor signed Senate Bill 798 (DeSaulnier). Sponsored by Partnership for Children and Youth, and authored by California Senator Mark DeSaulnier, SB 798 will provide much-needed resources for summer learning programs to low-income children through California’s federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program (21st CCLC) dollars.
Thank you to everyone for your support over the last two years of moving this bill.
- Learn more about SB 798 >>
Posted 25 August 2010
SB 798 (DeSaulnier) and AB 2178 (Torlakson) are Headed for the Governor’s Desk
Please send letters of support for these important after-school and summer-learning bills
Two bills that would significantly enhance after-school and summer-learning programs are moving quickly through their respective floor votes and are projected to reach Governor Schwarzenegger within the next few days for consideration.
Please use the attached templates to send letters to the Governor in of support of these bills as soon as possible.
The Fax number for Governor Schwarzenegger is: 916.558.3160 ( new number )
SB 798
Senate Bill 798 (DeSaulnier) would provide much-needed resources for summer learning programs to low-income children through California’s federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program dollars.
- Send a letter of support for SB 798 | Download the SB 798 template letter >>
- Learn more about SB 798 | SB 798 Background >>
AB 2178
Assembly Bill 2178 (Torlakson) would enhance development of after-school programming by allowing school districts to provide student evaluation information to after-school providers. Such information could greatly assist program providers in designing programming that best serves their student populations.
- Send a letter of support for AB 2178 | Download the AB 2178 template letter >>
- Learn more about AB 2178 | AB 2178 Background >>
Posted 12 August 2010
SB 798 Passes Assembly Appropriations
Next stop, the Assembly Floor, then the Governor
Senate Bill 798 (DeSaulnier), which would bring critical resources to summer learning programs in low-income communities, made it over a big hurdle this week. The bill was approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee and will next move to the Assembly Floor, and then on to the Governor.
Many thanks go to our partners who wrote letters in support of this bill, and to East Bay Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner for advocating for the bill with Assembly leadership.
We will send an alert along with a template letter of support as soon as we know more about timing and next steps.
- Learn more about SB 798 >>
Summer Changes Everything
Attend the National Summer Learning Association’s Conference, November 9-10 in Indianapolis
Summer Changes Everything, the only national conference focused entirely on summer, will be held at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, November 9-10. If you work with children, operate or make decisions about summer programs, or are involved in youth education, you can’t afford to miss this conference. With 60 workshops on topics from STEM learning to social media outreach, NSLA is presenting the latest information regarding youth and summer learning. 
This year, NSLA is thrilled to welcome an exciting lineup of guest speakers, exhibitors, and panelists, including neurologist, author, researcher, and middle-school teacher Dr. Judy Willis. Tarik Glenn, retired Indianapolis Colt and co-founder of D.R.E.A.M Alive, Inc., will share how his experiences both on and off the field have helped him to build and maintain a successful youth program. Other presenters include social media guru Beth Kanter, policy experts, and NSLA staffers. Don’t miss out on what promises to be the best summer learning conference yet!
Learn how to build, strengthen, and expand summer programs at the Summer Changes Everything conference:
- Connect and network with colleagues, including summer program providers, educators, school administrators, researchers and policymakers.
- Choose the option of participating in one of two relevant, in-depth pre-conference institutes on November 8, on program planning or summer learning advocacy.
- Choose from 60 workshops in three exciting areas: Knowledge and Strategies for Summer Program Managers; Policy and Funding for Systems Building; and Innovative Instructional Approaches.
Learn more and register now at the conference homepage. Or, contact our Conference Manager, Ryan Rebarchick, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone at 410.856.1370 x203.
- Get more info and register >>
Posted 03 August 2010
Summer Learning Grabs the Spotlight in California and Across the Country
TIME Magazine cover story brings national attention to summer learning while members of California’s Legislative Task Force on Summer visit an LA’s BEST program
The Case Against Summer Vacation
The August 2, 2010 issue of TIME Magazine features a cover story on the importance of summer learning and enrichment, titled, “The Case Against Summer Vacation.” This insightful article discusses summer slide and the achievement gap between lower- and higher-income students that results from summer learning loss.
- Download a PDF of the TIME article >>
- Read an online version >>
Senators Mark DeSaulnier and Gil Cedillo of the Summer Task Force Visit Leo Politi Elementary in Los Angeles
On July 29, 2010, Senator Mark DeSaulnier, Chair of the Legslative Task Force on Summer and Intersession Enrichment, Task Force Member Senator Gil Cedillo, and Assemblymember Kevin de Leon accompanied Partnership Executive Director Jennifer Peck on a visit to LA’s BEST’s summer learning program at Leo Politi Elementary School in downtown Los Angeles.
The legislators got to see students engaged in a reading activity about Amelia Earhart, learning math through card games, making art with a local professional artist, and learning about science through a mock space exploration. All the guests were served orange juice that was freshly squeezed by the students as part of their nutrition education project. The students participating in this program all come from low-income households and without this program would likely have nowhere else to be in the summer. Instead, they are building their academic skills and having fun for seven weeks in the summer at their local school.
The purpose of the visit was to give the legislators a firsthand view of a high quality summer learning program that’s making a real difference in children’s lives, and discuss why the state needs to do more to prioritize summer learning programs for low-income children.
- Learn more about the Legislative Task Force on Summer and Intersession Enrichment >>
UPDATE: SB 798 (DeSaulnier) Goes to Assembly Appropriations August 4
Senate Bill 798 (DeSaulnier), which would provide much needed resources for summer learning programs to low-income children, goes before the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, August 4, 2010.
Sponsored by Partnership for Children and Youth and authored by Senator Mark DeSaulnier, SB 798 seeks to dedicate 15% of California’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers dollars for summer learning and enrichment programs, and place more emphasis on year-round programs.
The 21st CCLC program supports before school, after school and summer programs for children attending schools in low-income communities. The original implementation plan for 21st CCLC did not accommodate the range of needs throughout the year, including services during periods when schools are closed (e.g. vacation periods, intersession).
- Learn more about SB 798 >>
Posted: 29 June 2010
Summer Food Update
California Children Missing Out on Meals During Summer Months
New Report Shows Drastic Fall in Participation in the Summer Nutrition Programs
Almost 80,000 fewer California children took part in the Summer Nutrition Programs in July 2009 compared to July 2008, according to a new report, Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation , by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC). This represents a 13% decline in participation at a time when participation in other federal safety-net programs is on the rise. Nationally, the participation rate fell by 2.5 percent.
Leaders of the California Association of Food Banks and the California Food Policy Advocates said the significant drop-off in summer meal program participation means many low-income children in the state were going without enough nutritious food. They attributed much of the drop-off to cutbacks in state funding for programs -- like summer schools -- that also provide meals.
The two organizations held a conference call June 29 to draw attention to the report’s findings and discuss ways to increase participation. Kate Karpilow, executive director of the California Center for Research on Women and Families, which is working with the statewide Summer Meal Program Coalition to increase the number of summer meal sponsors and sites, and Jim Weill, president of FRAC, also took part in the call.
The Summer Nutrition Programs, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provide meals to children who rely on free and reduced-price school meals during the school year. Summer meals are offered at participating sites, such as public and private schools, city- or county-run children’s summer programs or nonprofit programs, with federal funding provided to offset the costs.
While participation in summer meal programs fell, participation in the National School Lunch Program rose from the 2007-2008 school year to the 2008-2009 school year, confirming the rising need for nutrition assistance among low-income families. More than 2.14 million California children relied on the School Lunch Program in 2007-2008; this number jumped to 2.26 million in the 2008-2009 school year. By comparison, only 509,710 California children took part in the Summer Nutrition Programs in July 2009 compared to 588,175 in July 2008. That means the Summer Nutrition Programs reached only 23 percent of low-income children who ate school lunch during the regular school year.
"It’s especially troubling to see such a large gap between the number of children who use the School Lunch Program versus those who use the Summer Nutrition Program," said Sue Sigler, executive director of the California Association of Food Banks. "As a state, we have to be concerned about where these thousands and thousands of children are getting their food during the summer. The truth is, in most cases they are having to go without."
If the Summer Nutrition Programs in California were to serve just 40 out of every 100 children who participate in the School Lunch Program during the year, the state would receive an additional $27,055,081 in federal nutrition funding -- and help an additional 392,900 low-income children.
California Food Policy Advocates also recently released an analysis of trends in summer nutrition in California, School’s Out Who Ate? 2010, providing insight into the decline, county-by-county participation details and state and local policy developments, such as the collapse of summer school, that have jeopardized children’s nutritional needs.
"The majority of summer feeding sites in California are held at summer school or other state-run summer enrichment programs, but the state’s budget cuts into these programs severely limited the feeding sites available last year," said Matt Sharp, senior advocate with the California Food Policy Advocates. "In today’s economy, families need assistance more than ever, but by cutting back on summer activities, we’re not only shortchanging their educational opportunities, but also reducing where kids can access nutritious meals during the summer months."
The California Association of Food Banks and the California Food Policy Advocates join FRAC in calling on Congress to expand the reach of the Summer Nutrition Programs by:
- Improving the program’s too-narrow area eligibility test so that children from low-income families in a broader range of poor communities are able to participate;
- Expanding to all states a Year-Round Summer Food Pilot, currently only in effect in California, which reduces paperwork and eases administrative requirements for community-based sponsors that serve children during both the summer and after school during the school year;
- Providing grants to sponsors for start-up and expansion costs and transportation of children in order to bring new sponsors into the program and allow existing sponsors to serve more children; and
- Increasing reimbursement rates so that schools, local government agencies, and private nonprofit organizations are able to operate the program without losing money and can provide healthier food.
- "Increased funding for child nutrition programs would ensure that more low-income children have access to summer meals that stave off hunger, help reduce obesity, and draw children into educational and enrichment programs that keep them learning throughout the summer," Weill said. "Congress must make these programs stronger so we can take a decisive step forward in meeting President Barack Obama’s goal of ending childhood hunger by 2015."
Source: California Association of Food Banks and California Food Policy Advocates
Posted: 02 June 2010
SB 798 (DeSaulnier) and AB 1876 (Torlakson)
Write Letters of Support for After School and Summer Enrichment Legislation
Help us support two pieces of legislation that protect and enhance critical funding streams for after school and summer enrichment programs.
Senate Bill 798 would provide much needed resources for summer learning programs to low-income children.
Assembly Bill 1876 would allow publicly-funded after school providers to use their base grants to pay for program-related activities on weekends and would give priority for federally-funded after school programs that seek a new grant to continue its program.
Here are templates that will help you draft your organization’s letters of support:
- SB 798 Template Letter of Support | Download it >>
- AB 1876 Template Letter of Support | Download it >>
More about the Bills
SB 798, sponsored by Partnership for Children and Youth and authored by Senator Mark DeSaulnier, seeks to dedicate 15% of California’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers dollars for summer learning and enrichment programs, and place more emphasis on year-round programs.
The 21st CCLC program supports before school, after school and summer programs for children attending schools in low-income communities. The original implementation plan for 21st CCLC did not accommodate the range of needs throughout the year, including services during periods when schools are closed (e.g. vacation periods, intersession).
- Learn more about SB 798 >>
AB 1876, also sponsored by the Partnership for Children and Youth and authored by Assemblymember Tom Torlakson, passed the Assembly Education Committee on April 21, 2010. This bill would accomplish two important things for state and federally funded after-school programs:
- Clarify that grants for After School Education and Safety (ASES) programs and 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) may be used for weekend activities for students. Weekend activities or field trips have been important incentives in some programs to enhance student participation, but in recent years, the state has disallowed grant funding to be used for this purpose.
- Give expiring 21st CCLC grantees who have performed well over their five-year grant period, extra points when they are re-applying for new 21st CCLC grants. Federal law prohibits straight “renewal” of 21st CCLC grants, so this is a way to help strong 21st CCLC grantees continue their programs and services for students.
Read more about AB 1876 >>
