Investing in Successful Summer Programs: A Review of Evidence Under the Every Student Succeeds Act

This report, reviewing research about summer programming for children and teens, finds 43 programs that pass the evidence test for ESSA research categorization. The programs cross the spectrum from elementary- to high-school-age and include an array of endeavors, from helping kids with academics to providing them with career assistance. “Summer is an opportune time to create programs that benefit children and youth, and we find evidence that many types of summer programs can be effective,” the report says.

​​The publication includes a section with two-page descriptions of all 43 programs, laying out their key features and the research findings about their effectiveness.

​​The report also offers useful context to help readers make sense of the summer studies.