Summer isn't just a break; it’s a time of exploration and growth when young people can try new things, make friends, and deepen their skills in areas that interest them. But for millions of families across the country, that vision of summer is out of reach. A new America After 3PM special report, The Summer Struggle for Everyday Families: Affording the Opportunities Parents Want for Youth, conducted with Edge Research, dives into the unmet demand for summer learning opportunities and parents’ priorities for summertime. Based on a national survey of 30,515 parents or guardians of school-age children, the report finds that parents of 24.6 million children want structured summer learning experiences for their children, such as summer enrichment or sports programs, summer camp, summer school, or a job or internship, but half of them are being left out. Findings include:
Affordability remains a significant barrier to summer learning accessibility, with almost 4 in 10 families identifying cost as a key factor preventing their child’s enrollment in a summer learning program. This is especially true for low- and middle-income families. For families who can access summer learning programs, a vast majority of parents are happy with their child’s experience and report confidence in their child’s academic readiness for the upcoming school year. They want their children to be safe, feel supported, and have fun experiences in their programs. A majority of parents favor public funding for summer learning opportunities for students in communities without them. This support crosses demographic and political lines. The report was supported by The Wallace Foundation. Learn more and access additional findings here. Learn more about America After 3PM here. |
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