Learning Acceleration through Summer and After-school Programs

Making up for Learning Loss During the Pandemic

With classroom seats to be filled with students once again this fall, there is a sense we’re turning a corner. Although schools aren’t “normal,” reopening is upon us. And the opportunities to recover from learning loss due to the pandemic are now possible.

Learning acceleration is vital in recovering what learning that was lost during the pandemic. A task that will require schools to innovate in their approach to students. According to research by McKinsey & Company, students “lost the equivalent of three months of learning in mathematics and reading,” according to research by McKinsey & Company. Brittany Jenkins, the founder of We Are Tech, argues the impact of learning loss is more profound for communities of color. See this post where she outlines three ways to address the growing divide. 


On average, students “lost the equivalent of three months of learning in mathematics and one-and-a-half months of learning in reading.”

McKinsey & Company

Simply put, students are behind, and now comes the time to help them recover. So how do we create environments for successful learning acceleration? 

The After-school Solution to Learning Loss

This year, schools have limited resources to address learning loss, especially when summer and after-school programs significantly impact learning. Currently, K-12 students spend more than 80 percent of their waking hours learning outside of school. In contrast, according to the Afterschool Alliance, more than 10 million students nationwide rely on after-school programs. 

The number of students and hours spent in after-school programs presents an opportunity, with research highlighting their effectiveness. This research reveals how critical they can be in accelerating learning for students. According to the Expanded Learning and Afterschool Project, regular after-school program attendance can  lower dropout rates and increase attendance, close achievement gaps for low-income students, improve performance in the classroom, and increase social, emotional well-being

Build Meaningful Programs through Tech Education

While the general value of after-school programs is hard to argue, the quality of such programs is critical. Schools that integrate coding and digital skills learning can ensure learning loss is effectively addressed.

Digital skills are part of the solution. Digital skills like web, game, and app development are fun and engaging ways to reinforce core subjects through real-world application.

Another benefit of digital skills is enhancing skills like computational thinking, which can lift students’ abilities across subjects. This is an important benefit after an unconventional school year.

Addressing Learning Loss through Future-Proof Skills

Enhancing learning acceleration in core subjects allows schools to emphasize STEM careers and TechEd through OST programming. However, according to a recent iD Tech survey, 65% of parents with children in online or hybrid schools don’t believe the STEM offerings their child received during the pandemic meet their standards of quality, engaging activities. 


65% of parents with children in online or hybrid school don’t believe the STEM offerings their child received during the pandemic meet their standards of quality, engaging activities.

iD Tech

Recognizing the need to future-proof their students, the Elementary Institute of Science (EIS) partnered with BSD Education. This partnership aims to integrate digital skills in their Steps-2-STEM after-school program

One aspect will be expanding access to high-quality tech education, which will be made available through the partnership with BSD. Additionally, EIS provides STEM experiences that foster critical thinking and technical skills that encourage students to pursue STEM careers.

“This partnership with BSD will help level the playing field for many students who haven’t accessed these increasingly more important digital skills,” said Jim Stone, Executive Director at EIS. “Closing the digital divide is about more than hardware; it’s about creating digital literacy for everyone, and this partnership will help make this happen.”

A Partner for Learning Acceleration

Addressing learning loss due to the pandemic will take time and can’t be addressed through a single action or solution. However, quality summer and after-school programs will significantly reduce the impact of learning loss and helping students move forward. In addition, with the integration of tech education and digital skills, students can accelerate their progress. 

Coding and other digital skills seem daunting, but teachers don’t need any tech experience to get started with BSD’s curriculum. Instead, we allow educators with expertise to increase their capacity and continue to innovate. Contact us today to develop a partnership that will help your students reach further and be future-ready.

Create Fun and Meaningful Summer Learning Programs using Tech Education

The demand to solve summer learning loss is heating up. While it would be difficult to make up for lost time during the pandemic, teachers will need this summer to refocus children.

However, while a priority on addressing learning loss will be crucial this summer. So will addressing the social and emotional well-being of students after experiencing a year unlike any other. 

“Summer presents a key opportunity for school districts and community partners to accelerate learning and provide new avenues for students to safely engage with each other in fun activities” said, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.

“Reimagining interesting, engaging summer programming that is available to all students will help our communities heal and rebuild.”

Given that summer school might feel like a punishment for students, teachers must create an enjoyable and engaging learning atmosphere. Integrating fun tech education projects rooted in coding offers students a fun outlet that also provides them with real-world skills.

BSD Education Vice President of Education Mark Barnett recently explained why making learning fun is more than just having fun.

It can affect students’ understanding and whether or not they leave the classroom with practical abilities. Because children love games and learning by play, incorporating technology into summer learning activities can be a success.

“BSD Education believes that children are born to play. Hence, our curriculum are focusing on producing digital artifacts like web pages and games” said Barnett. “Our students are experiencing iteration, meaningful contexts, enjoyable experiences, and social interactions, as stated in the Pedagogy of Play.”

“At BSD Education, like LEGO, we know that children are inherently tuned for play, which is why our curriculum is project-focused and is centered around creating and making digital artifacts such as web pages, games, and interactive elements. By engaging in the process of making something like a webpage or video game, our students are experiencing the same characteristics of play that are described in the Pedagogy of Play: iteration, meaningful contexts, joyful experiences, and social interactions.”

Mark Barnett, BSD’s VP of Education

BSD is here to help you teach 21st century digital skills while creating a learning environment that’s enjoyable for students using a variety of coding projects, including building a website or developing a personalized game. Contact us today to see how you can partner with BSD for your summer learning programs.