Summer Learning Programs

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Stored: Summer Learning Programs

Summer Learning Programs
Type Program
Sponsor Organization Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Food and Nutrition Service
Top Organization Department of Education, Department of Agriculture
Creation Legislation Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (Public Law 89-10), National School Lunch Act of 1946 (Public Law 79-396), 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110)
Website https://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp Website
Purpose Summer Learning Programs, backed by 21CCLC and SFSP under ED and USDA, fund enrichment and nutrition to curb learning loss and boost health for low-income kids nationwide.
Program Start 1998 (for 21CCLC summer component); 1968 (for SFSP)
Initial Funding $50 million (combined initial allocation)
Duration Ongoing
Historic No

The Summer Learning Programs, rooted in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, the National School Lunch Act of 1946, and formalized under the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act of 2001, are administered by the Department of Education (ED) through its Office of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Food and Nutrition Service to provide grants and subsidies to schools, community organizations, and nonprofits, allocating over $30 billion since inception to support approximately 2.5 million students annually by 2025. Initially funded with $50 million for combined 21CCLC and SFSP efforts, it has grown to distribute $2 billion in FY 2024 across 15,000 grants and meal sites, funding programs like STEM camps, literacy workshops, and free meals at community centers, schools, and parks nationwide.[1][2] Despite its impact, challenges like funding competition, limited rural access, and program coordination persist (web ID: 6), but it remains a cornerstone of ED and USDA efforts to support student success and nutrition.

Official Site

Official Site

Goals

  • Prevent summer learning loss and improve academic achievement through enrichment activities like tutoring, STEM, and literacy.
  • Address food insecurity and promote healthy development by providing free meals and nutritional education.
  • Support working families and reduce summer youth risks by offering safe, supervised environments during summer months.[3]

Organization

Summer Learning Programs are managed by ED’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education and USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, overseen by Secretary Linda McMahon (ED) since 2025 and Secretary Tom Vilsack (USDA) since 2021, with state education agencies (SEAs), local providers, and sponsors implementing programs under federal oversight. It operates via annual appropriations, guided by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, National School Lunch Act, 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act, and subsequent funding acts like Public Law 117-328 (2022).[4][5]

Partners

History

Authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (Public Law 89-10), National School Lunch Act of 1946 (Public Law 79-396), and 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110), and launched with $50 million for combined 21CCLC and SFSP in 1998 (summer component) and 1968 (SFSP), Summer Learning Programs expanded with annual appropriations, reaching $2 billion in FY 2024.[6] It grew from serving 500,000 students annually in 1999 to 2.5 million by 2025, addressing summer needs with innovations like virtual learning (web ID: 6). By 2025, it has funded over $30 billion, though GAO notes funding competition concerns (web ID: 6).

Funding

Initial funding of $50 million in 1998 (for 21CCLC summer) and 1968 (for SFSP) supported the programs’ launches, with over $30 billion appropriated by 2025 via annual ED and USDA budgets—e.g., $2 billion in FY 2024.[7][8] Ongoing appropriations under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, National School Lunch Act, and 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act sustain its operations, with no fixed end as it addresses ongoing summer needs, funded through federal grants and subsidies.

Implementation

Summer Learning Programs distribute competitive grants and subsidies annually, requiring applicants to propose programs meeting ED and USDA goals, tracked via ED’s grant system and USDA’s FNS reporting.[9][10] It progresses through partnerships with community organizations—e.g., 2.5 million students yearly—and program expansions, adapting to summer needs with no set end, though rural access remains a challenge (web ID: 6).

Related

External links

Social media

References

  1. ↑ "Summer Learning through 21st CCLC". U.S. Department of Education. https://www2.ed.gov/programs/21stcclc/summerlearning.html. 
  2. ↑ "Summer Food Service Program". U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp. 
  3. ↑ "Benefits of Summer Learning". Youth.gov. https://youth.gov/youth-topics/summer-learning/benefits-summer-learning. 
  4. ↑ "Office of Elementary and Secondary Education". U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oese/index.html. 
  5. ↑ "USDA Leadership". U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/about-usda/leadership. 
  6. ↑ "21st Century Community Learning Centers Act of 2001". U.S. Congress. https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/house-bill/1. 
  7. ↑ "Summer Learning through 21st CCLC". U.S. Department of Education. https://www2.ed.gov/programs/21stcclc/summerlearning.html. 
  8. ↑ "Summer Food Service Program". U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp. 
  9. ↑ "Apply for ED Grants". U.S. Department of Education. https://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html. 
  10. ↑ "Apply to Sponsor SFSP". U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/apply-sponsor. 
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