Every year, our schools see what a difference summer learning programs make for students. These programs provide not only additional learning opportunities for students who need them most, but offer mental and behavioral health supports in safe, enriching environments that help them grow as individuals.
Unfortunately, many of our local school districts and communities can’t pay for this programming on their own. We can’t afford to waste the summer by failing to offer the opportunities that help students make up lost ground in core academic subjects – which is especially important post-pandemic. With the state now expecting $560 million more in revenue, legislators should invest a small portion of that into learning programs for summer 2024 by passing House Bill 4082.
Craig Hawkins, Emielle Nischik, Reed Scott-Schwalbach and Sarah Wofford
Hawkins is executive director of Coalition of Oregon School Administrators. Nischik is acting executive director of Oregon School Boards Association. Scott-Schwalbach is president of Oregon Education Association. Wofford is president of the Oregon School Employees Association.