Most K-12 Public Schools Offer Academically Focused Summer and After-School Programs

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) releases today the latest round of findings from the School Pulse Panel (SPP). These SPP data examine topics on summer 2023 program offerings and after-school program offerings during the 2023-24 school year as reported by school leaders in U.S. public schools. Key Findings Summer Programs for Summer 2023 Eighty-two percent of U.S. public schools offered some type of summer programming during summer 2023. Seventy-eight percent offered academically focused summer programming, which includes summer school, learning and enrichment (L&E), bridge, and other summer programs. Nineteen percent of public school students who had the opportunity to participate in these programs did so, which equates to 15 percent of all public school students across the country. When considering all public school students across the country, a higher percentage of those in schools with 76 percent or more students of color (19 percent) and in cities (18 percent) participated in these programs, while a lower percentage of students in schools with 25 percent or fewer students of color (12 percent) participated in these programs, compared to the national estimate. Around three-quarters of public schools offering academically focused summer programs were able to provide programming to most or all students who needed or wanted to participate in them (summer school, 72 percent; L&E programs, 78 percent; bridge programs, 75 percent). Around 90 percent of public schools offering academically focused summer programs did so at no cost to families (summer school, 90 percent; L&E programs, 87 percent; bridge programs, 90 percent). A third or more of public schools utilized district or school finances to fund their academically focused summer programs (summer school, 37 percent; L&E programs, 33 percent; bridge programs, 36 percent), while slightly less than a third used Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) I or ESSER II COVID relief funds (summer school, 30 percent; L&E programs, 31 percent; bridge programs, 20 percent). Most public schools offering summer school (92 percent) and L&E programs (84 percent) did so 4 or more days per week during summer 2023. Sixty-six percent public schools offering bridge programs did so 4 or more days per week. Most public schools offering academically focused summer programs had full-time teachers working in these programs (summer school, 95 percent; L&E programs, 89 percent; bridge programs, 86 percent). NCES defined summer programs for respondents as follows: Summer school program: Classes offered during the summer that students take for remedial or credit recovery purposes; students are often required to attend summer school because of their performance during the school year. Summer learning and enrichment programs: Classes or programs offered during the summer that students may participate in that provide additional learning opportunities, or course credit, in a variety of subject areas; students’ participation in these programs is voluntary. Summer recreation programs: Programs offered during the summer that students may participate in that may include recreation, sports, games and activities, youth development, etc.; these programs typically do not have an academic focus and students’ participation is voluntary. Summer bridge programs: Programs offered during the summer that support transitions to new grade or school levels (e.g., the transition from elementary to middle school or from middle school to high school) Service-learning programs: Program where students learn in a classroom-type setting and apply what they’ve learned by providing meaningful service to their community. Work-based learning programs: Programs that provide students with a continuum of career-related experiences that support their career goals and prepare them for education and employment beyond school. Summer internship programs: Programs where students are connected to businesses or non-profit organizations and gain real-world work experiences. Other summer programs After-School Programs for 2023-24 School Year Eighty-seven percent of U.S. public schools offer some type of after-school programming during the 2023-24 school year. Sixty-four percent offer academically focused after-school programming, which includes academic assistance, academic enrichment, and other after-school programs. Twenty-two percent of public school students who have the opportunity to participate in these programs are anticipated to do so this school year, which equates to 13 percent of all public school students across the country. A higher percentage of public schools in high-poverty neighborhoods (73 percent), with a student body comprising 76 percent or more students of color (75 percent), and with more than 1,000 students (75 percent) offer these programs compared to the national estimate. A lower percentage of public schools comprising 25 percent or fewer students of color (55 percent), in rural areas (56 percent), and with fewer than 300 students (57 percent) offer these programs, compared to the national estimate. Considering all public school students across the country, a higher percentage of those attending schools in a high-poverty neighborhood (18 percent), in schools comprising 76 percent or more students of color (19 percent), and in cities (17 percent) are anticipated to participate in these programs compared to the national estimate. Considering all public school students across the country, a lower percentage of those in schools comprising 25 percent or fewer students of color (9 percent), in the Midwest (10 percent), and in rural areas (10 percent) are anticipated to participate in in these programs, compared to the national estimate. Seventy-two percent of schools offering academic assistance programs and 67 percent offering academic enrichment programs are able to provide services to most or all students who want to participate in their academically focused after-school programs. Most public schools offering academic assistance or academic enrichment after-school programs do so at no cost to families (96 and 88 percent, respectively). More than a third of public schools utilized district or school finances to fund their academically focused after-school programs (academic assistance, 38 percent; academic enrichment, 39 percent), while less than a third used ESSER I or ESSER II COVID relief funds (academic assistance, 24 percent; academic enrichment, 17 percent). Forty-two percent of public schools offering academic assistance and 48 percent offering academic enrichment programs do so at least 4 days per week during the 2023-24 school year. Most public schools offering academic assistance or academic enrichment programs have full-time teachers working in these programs (90 and 80 percent, respectively). NCES defined after-school programs for respondents as follows: Academic assistance program: After-school programs or services whose primary purpose is to provide instruction to students who need academic assistance Academic enrichment program: After-school programs or services whose primary purpose is to provide instruction to students who seek academic enrichment Extended-day care School-related activities and clubs (e.g., athletics, student government, yearbook club, etc.) Other The findings released today are part of an experimental data product from the School Pulse Panel and were collected between September 12 and September 26 of this year. These data were collected from 1,442 participating public K-12 schools from every state and the District of Columbia. Experimental data products are innovative statistical tools created using new data sources or methodologies. Experimental data may not meet all NCES quality standards but are of sufficient benefit to data users in the absence of other relevant products to justify release. NCES clearly identifies experimental data products upon their release. All data released today can be found on the School Pulse Panel dashboard at https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/spp/results.asp