ATHENS –– First Lady Jill Biden and U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona toured the site of a summer learning program at the University of Georgia that is helping local first and second-grade students.
"The American Rescue Plan dollars are intended to provide programs like this one, to make up for some of that time where students weren't with their teachers [and] weren't with their friends," said Education Secretary Miguel Cardona. "We've been seeing great examples of it, and we saw some wonderful examples of it here today."
The Georgia stop featured examples of the work being done by the Athens branch of Horizons Atlanta, a state chapter of a national nonprofit working to push students in disadvantaged communities ahead.
"We may have our scholars for only six weeks during the summer, but on average, we're able to move them anywhere from eight to 12 weeks in terms of academic growth," said Alex Wan, Executive Director of Horizons Atlanta. "I don't know that they realize they have been [learning] because it's all been very fun [and] we just want to make sure we instill a curiosity and joy of learning in them."
The Athens program is the 10th in the state. Wan told AccessWDUN that Horizons is possible thanks to hosting organizations, often colleges or universities, that provide the space and support for the program to do its work. The University of Georgia made it possible for them to launch two classes with 15 kids in each for a total of 30 students.
During six weeks of the program, students have lessons in literacy, math and even swimming which they say encourages confidence.
"As an educator, the one thing I tried to give students is confidence, because they feel like they can do whatever it is, whether it's math, or whether it's English, or history or swimming, it doesn't matter," Mrs. Biden told the parents and kids, "Confidence is the most important thing that they need feel good about themselves."
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) put $122 billion toward helping schools reopen and providing programs to make it easier for students to catch up academically following the pandemic.
Horizons Atlanta received a $192,000 grant from the state for their summer learning activities.
"We've been able to add student seats and ensure we can serve more students. It's enabled us to remove barriers to families that ensure they can participate," Wan explained.
Kasey Thrasher's son Noah is a student in the program, and he is a rising second grader, and she believes the "extended learning period" has benefitted her son.
"They're engaging and learning, and they're having fun while they do it," Thrasher said. "Noah comes home excited every day about what he's done here at Horizons."
