The Summer Advantage USA Model

Summer Advantage USA is a non-profit programme founded by Earl Phalen to provide academic and enrichment opportunities during the summer months.This year, approximately 5,000 students in the Unites States, from kindergarten to grade eight, took part in this programme which involved rigorous academic instruction in the mornings and enrichment activities in the afternoons.By partnering with schools and school districts to provide this learning opportunity, Summer Advantage USA’s objectives were to:

• Increase students’ academic gains;
• Enhance self-concept;
• Increase problem solving ability; and
• Improve social skills.

To achieve these very important goals, the programme uses six key elements:

• Maximizing learning time: Programs operate 6.5 hours per day, 5 days per week, for 5 weeks.
• Outstanding instruction and mentoring: Classes are led by highly qualified and certified teachers, as well as college student teachers’ assistants (2 staff for every 24 students).
• Parental involvement: Activities include parent/teacher meetings, workshops, and involvement in field trips and other activities.
• Skill-based curricula: Research-based, culturally sensitive curricula are aligned with state and national learning standards.
• Fun activities: Enrichment activities include art, music, drama, gym, field trips and service projects.
• Rigorous evaluation: Students are subject to standardized pre- and post-programme tests.

Earl Phalen, who was quoted in the Indianapolis based Examiner, noted that, "students who committed to Summer Advantage [in 2010] gained more than 2 months of Language Arts skills (2.1 months) and Mathematics skills (2.3 months) over the course of this five-week program. Traditionally, students lose two to three months of learning in the summer months." Thus, this rigorous, summer learning opportunity maximizes students’ preparedness for the new school year and consequently enables teachers to make better use of school time.As guest speaker at the launch of Jamaica Partners for Educational Progress, the Summer Advantage founder shared his experience with a wide cross-section of Jamaica’s basic education stakeholders, including the Jamaica Basic Education Project. Through continued dialogue between Mr. Phalen and our sister project, Camp Summer Plus (CSP), which is based on the Summer Advantage USA model, CSP began on July 11, 2011. As a result, approximately 125 Jamaican primary students made the most of summer by engaging in rigorous, fun learning experiences that prepared them for the 2011 – 2012 academic year.ReferenceBlythe, A. (2011, June 26). Summer Advantage USA begins third year in Indianapolis. Examiner. Retrieved from http://www.examiner.com/k-12-in-indianapolis/summer-advantage-usa-beginsthird-year-indianapolisSummer Advantage USA. (2011). Overview. Retrieved from http://www.summeradvantage.org/programs.html