The success of the Summer Pathways for Innovation teaching fellowship program suggests that aligning summer programs with the school year has an important impact on school-year effectiveness, and school districts that partner with local community-based organizations support students in a variety of ways, helping to close the achievement gap and prepare them for college and career with 21st century skills. Summer learning also offers a unique opportunity to develop, test, and refine innovative K-12 teaching approaches, as well as provides a platform for classroom teachers to engage in flexible learning environments where they can explore youth-driven, project-based approaches that are not often possible in the school year classroom.

Download the full report, Innovative Pathways to Teaching Reform: Using Connected Learning to Develop Tomorrow’s Leaders, and learn how you can:

• Create opportunities for youth leadership and interest-driven learning using connected learning;

• Foster partnerships between districts and community-based organizations;

• Leverage digital technology to bridge student interest with college and career opportunities;

• Test and refine new pedagogical practices; and

• Find out new ways to integrate technology into
  instructional practice

Source: The National Summer Learning Association