PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Kate Connolly, Senior Policy Analyst at United Neighborhood Houses
3:09:31
·
146 sec
Kate Connolly, representing United Neighborhood Houses, presented findings from their evaluation of the Summer Rising program. The evaluation highlighted concerns about the program's model and execution, including issues with academic engagement, support for students with special needs, and enrollment processes.
- 58% of surveyed parents had no backup option if Summer Rising was unavailable, emphasizing the program's importance for low-income families.
- 87% of middle school participants felt neutral or disagreed about feeling engaged in the morning academic session.
- Over half of CBO staff reported shortages in paraprofessional support for students with IEPs as a major challenge.
- Recommendations include removing the required academic program for non-mandated students and offering more engaging, flexible programming options.
Kate Connolly
3:09:31
Hello, and thank you for the opportunity to testify.
3:09:34
My name is Kate Connelly, and I'm a senior policy analyst for United Neighborhood Houses, an umbrella organization that represents settlement houses across New York State.
3:09:42
During the summer of 2024, 26 of our members operated summarizing programs.
3:09:47
Since its inception, CBO providers have raised concerns about the model and execution of summarizing, we agree that young people need strong academic recreational and social emotional supports over the summer to help prepare them for a successful school year.
3:10:01
However, there is no evidence to suggest that summarizing has achieved this or is the best model to do so.
3:10:07
This past summer, UNH undertook our own evaluation of the program.
3:10:10
We talked with over 50 middle school participants through focus groups and conducted a digital survey that collected responses from 700 parents and CPO staff.
3:10:19
Many of these responses are from organizations that actually you heard from today.
3:10:24
The full report will be submitted as part of our written testimony, but I will highlight some of our key findings.
3:10:29
Many families are dependent on free summer programming provided by the city.
3:10:33
58% of surveyed parents said they did not have a backup option if summarizing was not available with the percentage rising for low income families.
3:10:41
2 middle schoolers expressed frustration with the DOE led academics 87% of focus group participants disagreed or felt neutral in regards to the statement I feel engaged in the morning session.
3:10:53
3, there are widespread concerns whether students with IEPs and English language learners are receiving appropriate accommodations.
3:11:00
Over half of CBO staff said that a shortage of para professional support for students with IEPs was one of the most pressing challenges for the program.
3:11:08
Additionally, some focus group participants who identified as English language learners shared that they were excluded from the academic portion and given arts and crafts instead.
3:11:17
4, reflecting CBO concerns about the DOE light enrollment process, more than 104 parent respondents said that they were wait listed for a spot at their preferred summarizing school site.
3:11:28
Based on the responses we solicited through this report and the last 4 years of feedback from members and their communities, it has been made clear that the cookie cutter model of summarizing does not work for all students and families.
3:11:38
It is our recommendation that there should be no required academic program for non mandated students in the summer of 2020 The city needs to provide choice and options for families and should offer programming that is actually engaging to students.
3:11:50
Our report provides other recommendations about serving students with disabilities and English language learners and working with CBOs.
3:11:56
Thank you.
