Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem) and Senator Michael Dembrow (D-Portland) introduced a Summer Learning Package worth $150 million to “keep Oregon kids learning and active over the summer months.”
“We have to be aggressive about education,” said Courtney. “Our children have really been affected by this pandemic. We pushed hard for summer learning last year. Parents and teachers told us it had a big effect on kids. Summer learning has to become permanent.”
Courtney added, “The year-round school has got to come.”
“For Oregon’s kids, summers should be a time for growth, not for stagnation,” said Dembrow. He went to say that he had heard from teachers, students, and parents about the programs the state sponsored last summer, and that there was generally a positive response.
In 2021, the Oregon Legislature provided more than $200 million in summer school funding, enrichment activities, and community programs, creating nearly 6,000 new summer programs. Those programs benefited an additional 89,000 K-12 students who were unable to participate in summer programs in past years. They were ultimately able to serve an estimated 340,000 students total.
The proposed package includes Summer K-12 Enrichment Grants to allow schools fund programs such as robotics, dance, art, music, and outdoor programs. There will also Summer High School Academic Grants aimed at helping high school students recover from the regular school year or earn added credits. The final category is Summer Community Activity Grants which allows for day camps, park programs, and tutoring for children K-12.
“This program will continue to make a positive impact for kids in all corners of the state,” Rep. Anna Williams (D-Hood River) said. “Every community deserves a program like this, and it’s essential that we build on the great summer learning work from last year to support our students and their families.”
By Sally K Lehman
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