Eric Becoats, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools at the William Penn School District, offered this reflection during the October 4, 2022 GLR Learning Tuesdays session as he talked about how the REACH program was implemented in his district. He continued to share, saying “my goal was to ensure that students were getting as much as possible 1-on-1 attention. So in conversations with Foundations, we were able to basically develop what in my mind a summer enrichment program would be, and so it was their model…tweaked a little bit to meet the needs of this community.”

The REACH program was first implemented at William Penn School District during the summer of 2021. It resulted in statistically significant progress in both literacy and math, and integrated whole child learning experiences into the program design. The program utilized research-based best practices and evidence-based curriculum. It also became clear that the staff and their training and engagement were key in creating what Ozzie Wright, Jr., described as a “place where they [students and families] could be successful and a safe place where people really cared about them.”

For those who are looking for a solution for learning loss recovery in their own community, “customization is the key to this,” according to MaryEllen Gorodetzer, Ed.D. The solutions must integrate high-quality research and practice, as well as positive relationships. As Eric Becoats, Ed.D., said, we need “community partners coming to the table working with us to support our children.”