Group Charged with Making Recommendations for Ways to Curb Summer Learning Loss among Providence Students
Mayor Jorge Elorza today announced a Summer Learning Task Force to address the issue of summer learning loss which disproportionally affects low-income students and students of color in the public school system.
“Each year, summer learning loss causes our kids to fall behind in their education,” said Mayor Elorza. “The Summer Learning Task Force will identify opportunities to expand summer learning programs in the city and help our children start each school year better prepared to succeed.”
Students at the greatest risk for summer learning loss can lose up to 2-years of grade-level reading and math ability by the time the reach fifth grade when compared to children from higher-income households.
In Providence more than 60% of students suffer summer learning loss in reading and more than 51% in math. Studies show that students from lower-income families are far less likely to have access to summer learning opportunities, leading to greater summer learning loss and lower graduation rates.
The Mayor’s Summer Learning Task Force will identify opportunities to expand and enhance summer learning opportunities for Providence youth. The group will submit a set of recommendations for potential programming early in 2016.
The Summer Learning Task Force is comprised of the following school officials, education policy leaders and members of community organizations:
- Jennie Johnson (Co-Chair), Executive Director & VP, City Year Providence
- Doris De Los Santos (Co-Chair), Exec. Director for Development, Partnerships & Community, PPSD
- Kerry Tuttlebee, Principal, Opportunity by Design High School
- Joseph Morra, Senior Project Manager of Expanded Learning, United Way of RI
- Ellen Cynar, Program Manager, Office of Healthy Communities
- Susan Chin, Director of School Support, PPSD
- Dulari Tahbildar, Executive Director, Breakthrough Providence
- Madeleine Metzler, Assoc. Dean & Director of Summer School, Providence College
- Gina Silvia, Supervisor of Scheduling, College & Career Readiness, PPSD
- Jael Lopes, Director of Strategic Community Partnerships, PPSD
- Christina Alderman, Associate Educator of Family and Youth Programs, RISD
- Scott Lapham, Apprenticeship Director, AS220
- William Black, Principal, West Broadway Middle School
- Wendy Nilsson, Superintendent, Parks & Recreation
- Alex Molina, Deputy Director of Quality Initiatives, Providence After School Alliance
- Dr. Donald Halquist, Dean, Feinstein School of Education & Human Development, RIC
- Dilania Inoa, Elementary Education Program Manager, Swearer Center, Brown Univ.
- Jan Mermin, School Health Policy & Program Specialist, RI Department of Education
- Stephanie Geller, Policy Analyst, RI Kids Count
- Michelle Novello, Program Coordinator, Providence Community Library
- Cheryl Space, Youth Services Coordinator, Providence Community Library
- Jim Berson, Chief Executive Officer, Greater Providence YMCA
- Nina Pande, Board Secretary, PPSD School Board
- Ruth López, Senior Research Associate, Annenberg Institute for School Reform
- Ashley Belanger, Executive Director, Rhode Island Urban Debate League
- Ray Watson, Executive Director, Mount Hope Neighborhood Association
- Kath Connolly, Director of Partnerships, The Learning Community
- Aeran Baskin , PhD Candidate, Harvard’s Doctor of Education Leadership program
- Toby Shepherd, Grant Programs Officer, The Rhode Island Foundation
- Ann Durham, Director of Quality Initiatives, Providence After School Alliance