“While K-12 academic learning influences multiple dimensions of life success, concerns about declining achievement among 9- and 13- year old students in key subjects like math and reading—as reported by the National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP—have led to questions about the long-term challenges facing today’s young people.”  In response the recently launched federal student achievement policy agenda has emphasized three ways to accelerate learning. They include:

  1. Increasing student attendance;
  2. Providing high-dosage tutoring; and
  3. Boosting summer learning and afterschool learning time. 

This article explores important elements for those three efforts.