Indiana’s popular summer learning program has produced significant results.

Participating students made massive gains in reading and math after just five weeks of focused instruction. The Mind Trust’s Summer Learning Labs initiative helped students improve their proficiency by double digits, according to new data presented to the State Board of Education.

• “All students enrolled achieved a 26 percentage point increase in English/language arts (ELA) proficiency and 24 percentage point increase in math.
• Black students achieved a 25 percentage point increase in ELA proficiency and 24 percentage point increase in math.
• Latino students achieved a 28 percentage point increase in ELA proficiency and 27 percentage point increase in math.
• Students receiving free/reduced price meals achieved a 26 percentage point increase in ELA proficiency and 24 percentage point increase in math.
• English learners achieved a 21 percentage point increase in ELA proficiency and 25 percentage point increase in math.”
  • Source: Indiana Department of Education

Indy Summer Learning Labs (ISLL), is a five-week, free, or low-cost academic and enrichment summer program. The Mind Trust recruits, hires, and places teachers with community partners hosting a Learning Lab. The program was launched in 2021 in response to learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana’s Secretary of Education, called the results a “clear win” for students. “This shows that when we invest strategically, we can see real returns in student achievement,” Jenner said. The program, developed by Indianapolis nonprofit The Mind Trust, blends academic instruction with fun enrichment activities, and all students take pre- and post-tests to track progress.

Learn more about Summer Learning Labs here.