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PITTSBURGH AREA SUMMER PROGRAMS RESEARCH OVERVIEW
Completed 10/01/2008
PII’s initial research of summer programs, in and around the Pittsburgh area, indicates a wealth of cultural and educational summer programs for area students. The depth and breadth of the program offerings is greater than ever before. There are numerous area organizations providing opportunities that most students do not receive - or have access to - during the school year. During the summer months, students can focus on areas of study in which they have a vested interest. Summer programs allow students to collaborate with students from other areas. Many of these programs offer students a change of pace, providing small classrooms, with a low-pressure, hands-on learning environment. Also, the instructor-to-student ratio is usually much lower than the public schools environment. These summer programs have a huge financial and economic impact for the institutions, the city, and the area as a whole.
However our initial research indicates that there are many inherent problems within the current system. In our research, we found there was no central database with a comprehensive list of summer programs/camps for the parents and students of the Greater Pittsburgh area. This makes searching for area summer programs time consuming and difficult. Affordability is another impediment. Although there were several free programs, many of the programs were expensive. The science programs, one of which cost over $1000 per week, could have provided appropriate summer learning opportunities for young, at-risk students with an interest in science. Additionally, free programs were generally literacy-focused, which is a sign of the times where literacy and math are emphasized due to high-stakes testing. Although some programs offered scholarships/financial aid, there were few full scholarships available and many of the application processes were confusing and time-consuming. It was also noted, that none of the programs, outside of the public schools, offered any transportation relief for low-income students or students with logistics problems. Also, many of the summer educational programs had no meal plans for students, thus leaving some children without food options. Although, many organizations did offer day care for students before and after the program, they assessed additional fees that could be quite costly, especially for low to moderate income families. None of the educational or cultural programs provided child care for teenage parents.
We all know that originally our school system was designed for an agriculture society allowing the summer months for farming, which leads many to argue for a longer school year. As we became an industrial nation the summer months left a huge void in a student’s education. PII’s initial research demonstrates that summer programming has evolved to not only meet but exceed the needs of many students. I would also argue that summer programming provides a huge financial and economic impact on our region and the nonprofit community. Unfortunately, due to costs, accessibility, and other factors, there are inherent flaws in the system that must be addressed. Many low-to-moderate income/minority students are not afforded the same access to these programs as other students. In order for summer programming to become truly effective, it is important to remove barriers to access for all individuals/groups. Below are excerpts from the10/01/2008 Summer Programs Research Report:
General Thoughts on Research Phase
“Although broad assumptions cannot be made based on the brief analysis that PII researchers were able to conduct, researchers were able to gain an understanding of the difficulty that a low-income parent or student may face when trying to find appropriate and affordable summer classes in the Pittsburgh region.”
Barriers to Entry
“There were several barriers to entry for student’s participation in summer programs, which may in part lead to summer learning loss. Although there were several free programs, many of the programs were expensive. Additionally, while many organizations offered scholarship programs, there were few full scholarships available. Transportation was rarely provided by the organization, and meals were available in only about half of the programs researched. Daycare was often available, but this typically added even more cost to a summer learning experience.”
Looking to the Future
“Although there are many barriers to entry, there are hopeful signs. Organizations like the Young Writers Institute offer literacy classes at a very low cost to students. Pittsburgh Public Schools offer a variety of classes, including literacy, free of charge to its students; and certain branches of the YMCA offer free, comprehensive literacy programs that provide meals and daycare. These programs can provide models to other organizations who wish to increase access for low-income students.”
Publish and Maintain the Database
“Ultimately, the database should be published on a website so that all parents can gain a better understanding of the appropriate, affordable summer programs in the Pittsburgh area. There is a wealth of information contained in the database (created by the research team). This information will need to be updated, particularly in the spring, as new programs and classes are formed before the busy summer season. Additionally, further research may be necessary to gain a better understanding of the program offerings of different organizations. Although a few preliminary rubrics were created, updating these on a seasonal basis (i.e., as soon as summer schedules are released) will be a useful tool as PII establishes itself as an organization dedicated to serving Pittsburgh’s low-income community. Additionally, delving further into the research (i.e., finding appropriate ways to include all member discounts for all classes offered), would help researchers create a more in-depth representation of each organization’s offerings.” |
