Recruit early in the spring, communicate clearly with parents, keep enrollment open, and require commitment to clear program expectations¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

Because most districts waited until school was nearly over to promote the programs, there was not enough time to interest students and families. The report recommends that districts provide clear information to parents earlier in the spring to improve recruitment and set clear expectations, and that they keep enrollment as open as possible while requiring students to commit to clear program expectations. Parent involvement is described as essential both at recruitment and in holding students accountable during entirely virtual programs.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Clear communication with parents in the spring, long before the school year ends
• Clear program expectations that enrolled students commit to

Constraints¶

• Some parents resisted additional screen time during summer or worried about liability of school-owned devices at home

Target Learners¶

• K-8 students at risk of summer learning loss and their families

Target Learning Goals¶

• Sustained participation and engagement in virtual summer learning programs

Related Strategies¶

• Blend virtual ed-tech practice with regular in-person meetings and check-ins in summer learning programs
• Family Engagement
• Zoom Family Hours
• Publicize Volunteer Opportunities and Student Involvement
• Distinguish product users from purchasers and recruit representative users through school-like community settings

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Christina Luke, Christa M. Simone, Aubrey T. Francisco. (2016). Rapid Cycle Pilots: Summer Ed-Tech Programs. Digital Promise. https://digitalpromise.dspacedirect.org/items/8017846c-4099-4af3-92e4-462cd5d6262d