Acting Commissioner Allen-McMillan offers congratulations and continued support in an open letter to New Jersey’s Educators.   

It is well-documented that students often begin the academic year at achievement levels lower than when they left school the prior year, a gap known as the “summer slide.” As we know, the impact of COVID-19 exacerbated gaps in learning opportunities and student achievement. The pandemic caused much uncertainty and disruption to the continuity of learning. Current projections show there will be increased gaps in student achievement at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, due to intermittent closures and additional effects of the COVID-19 public health emergency. As a result, LEAs are strongly encouraged to continue to expand planning for acceleration and enrichment summer learning opportunities using the tools, resources, and approaches available in each of the categories below.

Recent evidence suggests that expanding summer learning to provide students rigorous opportunities to preview and practice knowledge and skills aligned to upcoming grade-level standards, is effective in bolstering student achievement. Likewise, providing social and emotional learning supports for students can remove barriers and yield benefits that correspond to successful academic outcomes. The NJDOE encourages LEAs to dedicate summer months to address disruptions in student learning and ensure students with the highest degree of need, receive the support needed to propel them into successful futures.

With respect to health and safety protocols, districts are encouraged to continue consulting with their local health departments to ensure that all summer programming conforms with the most recent New Jersey Department of Health COVID-19 Public Health Recommendations for Local Health Departments for K–12 Schools.