Friday, June 20, 2014

Overcoming Summer Learning Loss

Blog post written by Melissa Simmermaker, Iowa Reading Corps AmeriCorps Program Manager
A recent photo from the Oskaloosa
Summer Lunch Program


As research continues to confirm the benefits of utilizing summer learning programs to help close the achievement gap for disadvantaged youth and overcome learning loss for all students, Iowa Reading Corps is partnering with local United Ways to utilize the people-power of AmeriCorps to ensure more Iowa students have access to the educational and nutritional supports that they need to succeed.

While Iowa's 10, full-time Reading Corps AmeriCorps Members wrapped up the school-based portion of their terms of service in May and June, they are continuing to serve their communities through summer tutoring, enrichment, and/or feeding programs in June and July. In partnership with local United Ways, members are collaborating with community volunteers to provide more opportunities for children and youth to receive access to summer enrichment and literacy activities while also receiving a nutritious meal. By combining access to educational and nutritional supports, local United Ways and school districts are paving the path to closing the educational gap that often widens for disadvantaged youth over the summer months.


In Ames and Dubuque, Iowa Reading Corps has partnered with the United Way of Story County (UWSC) and the Dubuque Community Foundation to place six, minimum-time Summer AmeriCorps Members at the UWSC and St. Mark Youth Enrichment to provide additional support for local summer enrichment programs. In Story County, Summer AmeriCorps Members are partnering with Story County AmeriCorps*VISTA Members and Iowa Reading Corps AmeriCorps Members to implement an innovative summer learning and feeding program with the Ames and Nevada Community School Districts. In Dubuque, four Summer AmeriCorps Members are serving with the St. Mark Youth Enrichment Summer Academy to provide enrichment activities for students who have just finished kindergarten or first grade.

While the positive impact of Iowa Reading Corps AmeriCorps Members is targeted upon literacy tutoring provided during the school year, we're proud to highlight the impact that members are having in their communities throughout the summer months. Summer programming would not be made possible without the support of local United Ways who also provide match funding for members' living stipends. What an exciting opportunity to continue strengthening the bridges between school and community!

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