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Top 5 Findings from the America After 3PM Special Report, Time for a Game-Changing Summer

Summer programs provide critical positive experiences that youth carry with them as they grow. Structured programs offer the chance to foster friendships and connections, develop life skills, be active, and explore different subjects through intellectually engaging projects. For families, summer programs provide peace of mind knowing their child is in a safe and engaging space. However, data finds that access to summer learning is still inaccessible for some families.

These are the major findings for Tennessee and the U.S. regarding summer learning programs. Share this information with your local afterschool and summer learning programs, with your local media and elected officials, and on social media. Suggested social media and a news release are included below.

Here are the major findings regarding summer experiences in 2019-2020:

  1. Parent satisfaction for summer programs is strong, with participation higher than ever.

Tennessee Parent satisfaction with their child’s structured summer programs is at 99 percent, with the percentage of families reporting at least one child is in a summer program (45 percent) climbing 26 percentage points since 2008. 

  1.  Parents want this summer to be different.

With the approach of our second COVID summer, parents are looking for programs focused on recovery and fun, engaging activities. While nationally 75 percent of parents wanted to make sure their child did not lose academic ground, 100 percent of Tennessee parents are prioritizing opportunities for their child to build life skills, engage in outdoor and screen-free activities (96 percent) , and explore different subjects (93 percent).

  1.  Barriers to access remain high, especially for low-income families.

30 percent of children not enrolled in a summer program in Tennessee would be enrolled if a program was available. The study also finds high unmet demand nationally, with children in low-income families most likely to be left behind. Cost is the barrier to enrollment 37 percent of Tennessee parents cite most often.

  1.  Programs face barriers to operation

Summer programs were hard hit by the pandemic, and 82 percent of providers are still unsure about their future due to concerns about long-term funding. Other factors providers are concerned about include reduced enrollment 52 percent, hiring enough staff 44 percent, addressing learning loss 42 percent, and having the resources to meet families’ needs 36 percent. 

  1. Parents are highly in favor of public funding for summer programs.

Support for public funding reaches 86 percent in Tennessee, with parents agreeing funding should be used to make summer programs available to youth in communities with limited access. Across the country, states show bipartisan support for summer learning

To find your state’s dashboard and data breakdown, head to http://afterschoolalliance.org/AA3PM/data/geo/Tennessee/overview. Here you will find your state’s metrics to uncover unmet demand, satisfaction rates, enrollment challenges for families, and support for public funding.

With insights into what summer programs looked like throughout the nation in 2019-2020, we can help redefine and restructure the parameters of equitable summer learning in 2021.

Related News: Read all about Nashville’s new summer school that’s tackling learning loss.

Social Media Toolkit for Tennessee

This kit provides sample posts for each key area of the data, followed by state-specific posts you can localize with your state data. Click on the links next to suggested graphics to find appropriate art work and photos.

Participation/Unmet Demand 

Suggested Graphics: Access to Summer | Participation Summer

Benefits of summer programs/Parent Views & Satisfaction: 

Suggested Graphics: Parent Satisfaction

  • New #AA3PM data finds 95% of parents are satisfied with their child’s summer program. Parents value opportunities for children to explore different activities, spend time outdoors, & connect with their peers. http://afterschoolalliance.org/AA3PM/data/geo/Tennessee/summer
  • Parents have a vision for their child’s #summerlearning program – and want it to be different than the school year. Three in four parents value academic support, but 9 in 10 prioritize opportunities to build life skills, be physically active, and experience a variety of activities. http://afterschoolalliance.org/AA3PM/data/geo/Tennessee/summer
  • State breakdown satisfaction: 
    • 99 percent of Tennessee parents are satisfied with their child’s summer program. Parents value opportunities for children to be active, make meaningful connections, and explore different activities — experiences that are even more important during this summer of recovery. http://afterschoolalliance.org/AA3PM/data/geo/Tennessee/summer
    • Grades are in – and 99 percent of Tennessee parents give summer programs in our state high marks! This summer, programs are even more important to give kids the chance to reconnect and re-engage with their peers through fun, hands-on experiences.  #AA3PM http://afterschoolalliance.org/AA3PM/data/geo/Tennessee/summer

Inequities & Barriers to Accessing Programs 

Suggested Graphics: Access to Summer

  • Why aren’t more kids in summer programs? New #AA3PM data show cost is a major factor. Two in five parents who did not enroll their child in a program said it was because programs were too expensive. http://afterschoolalliance.org/AA3PM/data/geo/Tennessee/summer
  • Structured summer programs provide students with rich opportunities to re-engage with learning & accelerate recovery, but 44% of low-income families without a child in a summer program cite cost issues, 23% report transportation issues & 23% report lack of awareness as barriers to participation this year. http://afterschoolalliance.org/AA3PM/data/geo/Tennessee/summer
  • New #AA3PM data finds that only 1 in every 4 children enrolled in a summer program was from a low-income family. Equitable access to structured summer programs means more students are able to benefit from critical recovery tools and academic help, especially in communities hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. http://afterschoolalliance.org/AA3PM/data/geo/Tennessee/summer
  • Kids from low-income families are more likely to miss out on summer programs. Families in the highest-income bracket spend 5x more on out-of-school time activities each year than families in the lowest-income bracket. Learn more about challenges to accessing #summerlearning: http://afterschoolalliance.org/AA3PM/data/geo/Tennessee/summer

Support for Funding Summer Programs 

 Suggested Graphics: Bipartisan Support | Parent Investment Support

  • Families want summer programs funded! New #AA3PM data shows parent support for public funding of summer programs climbs to 88%. Investment in summer programs means more equitable access to programs that provide children with safe & structured activities, access to healthy meals, & safe transportation. http://afterschoolalliance.org/AA3PM/data/geo/Tennessee/summer
  • Public funding for summer programs receives bipartisan support from parents. 88% agree that funding opens up valuable opportunities to kids in underserved communities and families most affected by the pandemic. http://afterschoolalliance.org/AA3PM/data/geo/Tennessee/summer
  • State breakdown public funding:
    • Nationwide, parents support public funding for summer programs and Tennessee agrees! 86 percent of parents say it’s important to invest in providing all kids access to summer enrichment. https://aa3pm.co/
    • 86 percent of Tennessee parents want summer programs funded. Help kids re-engage, recharge, and rebound from the pandemic by investing in summer enrichment. http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/AA3PM/

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