Insights

K-12 schools and districts across the country know that strong summer learning doesn’t just happen. It takes intentional planning, cross-team coordination, and early decisions that set the stage for success. In a recent LinkedIn Live conversation hosted by Keri Hubbard, Chief Program Officer at the National Summer School Initiative (NSSI) connected with two district leaders—Kelly Lyons, Executive Director of Planning and Logistics for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), and Julie McCalmont,...

When summer school ends, one question inevitably follows: Did it work? Answering that question isn't always straightforward for district and school leaders. In some summer learning programs, results are clear and measurable. In others, impact is harder to pin down, especially if the program began without a shared definition of success or a clear connection to the school year. In a recent NSSI LinkedIn Live conversation, Dr. Gregory Hutchings, Jr., former superintendent and now professor at...

The renewed focus on the science of reading has been a critical step forward for schools. Educators rightly invest time in foundational reading skills like phonics, decoding, and phonemic awareness. But for district leaders shaping curriculum and strategy, the challenge isn't just knowing what matters, it's figuring out how to fit it all together. This question was front and center in a recent LinkedIn Live hosted by the National Summer School Initiative (NSSI), featuring Ellie Bridges (Senior...

Key Insights from District Leaders Who’ve Done Both Summer learning has become more than a seasonal offering - it's an opportunity to accelerate learning, close achievement gaps, and support teacher development. But with limited budgets, stretched staff capacity, and competing priorities, school and district leaders face a difficult question: Should we build our summer school program in-house or partner with an external provider? As Keri Hubbard, Chief Program Officer at the National Summer...

How Schools Can Retain Talent, Strengthen Instruction, and Build Culture Too often, mentorship is treated as a new teacher onboarding tactic or a checkbox in professional development plans. But for school and district leaders focused on instructional quality, teacher retention, and leadership development, mentorship is a critical tool hiding in plain sight. In a recent conversation hosted by Nancy Livingston, CEO of the National Summer School Initiative, educators Lizzie Eisen and Sean Healy,...

For many educators, summer school has long been viewed as a remediation tool for students who need extra support. But what if summer learning could be more? What if it could be a strategic opportunity to strengthen Tier 1 instruction, develop teacher practice, and create long-term instructional impact? That was the focus of a recent EdWeb discussion hosted by the National Summer School Initiative (NSSI), where education leaders explored how summer school can serve as a job-embedded teacher...

Summer school often carries a stigma, perceived as a consequence for struggling students. However, this narrative overlooks its potential as a critical lever for student achievement and professional development. Summer represents 12% of the instructional year - a significant opportunity to strengthen Tier 1 instruction and address learning gaps when used strategically. Dr. Robert Avossa explained in a recent LinkedIn live, "Summer school isn't punishment anymore - it's an opportunity for kids...