Section 28A.630.121. Findings—Intent—2014 c 219.

(1) The legislature finds that studies have documented that many students experience learning losses when they do not engage in educational activities during the summer. The legislature further finds that research shows that summer learning loss contributes to educational opportunity gaps between students, and that falling behind in academics can be a predictor of whether a student will drop out of school. The legislature recognizes that such academic regression has a disproportionate impact on low-income students.

(2) The legislature further finds that expanded learning opportunities, including those offered by partnerships between schools and community-based organizations, create enriching experiences for youth, with activities that complement and support classroom-based instruction. The legislature acknowledges that access to quality expanded learning opportunities during the school year and summer helps mitigate summer learning loss and improves academic performance, attendance, on-time grade advancement, and classroom behaviors.

(3) Therefore the legislature intends to build capacity, identify best practices, leverage local resources, and promote a sustainable expanded learning opportunities system by providing an infrastructure that helps coordinate expanded learning opportunities throughout the state. To the extent funds are provided for this purpose, the legislature also intends to authorize a pilot program specifically to combat summer learning loss through expanded learning opportunities, which will provide the opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of an extended school year in improving student achievement, closing the educational opportunity gap, and providing successful models for other districts to follow.

[ 2014 c 219 § 1.]

2014 c 219 § 1.