[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Marketing Hero” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#000000″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_stops=”rgba(221,221,221,0) 0%|rgba(0,0,0,0) 100%” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(221,221,221,0)” background_color_gradient_end=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_image=”https:\/\/dallascityoflearning.org\/info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/elementary-male-student-1100.png” parallax=”on” custom_margin=”||-161px|||” custom_padding=”100px|0px|306px|0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.01)” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”52.9%” custom_margin=”-275px|523px||481px||” custom_padding=”0px|329px||||” animation_style=”zoom” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_intensity_zoom=”6%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_text_color=”#e09900″ header_font=”|on|||” header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font_size=”36px” header_line_height=”1.3em” header_5_font_size=”24px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_layout=”dark” min_height=”126px” custom_margin=”627px||20px|||” custom_padding=”59px|||||” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_intensity_slide=”10%” header_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider divider_weight=”4px” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”40px” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”||10px|” animation_style=”zoom” animation_direction=”left” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Features” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”73px|0px|0px|0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”0px|0px|24px|0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_text_color=”#8585bd” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.9em” link_text_color=”#F28228″ text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||||false|false” animation_style=”zoom” animation_intensity_zoom=”6%” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Big Thought<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Dallas ISD<\/a>, along with four other urban public-private partnerships, participated in a multi-year research study funded by the\u00a0Wallace Foundation<\/a>\u00a0to develop and implement summer learning programs to help close the opportunity gap. This initiative, referred to as the\u00a0National Summer Learning Project (NSLP)<\/a>, lead to a series of comprehensive reports and strategy tools that are helping communities throughout the country increase the access, dosage and quality of their summer learning opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n Each year, Big Thought also works with the\u00a0Southern Methodist University Center on Research and Evaluation<\/a>\u00a0to evaluate Dallas City of Learning for access, dosage and quality indicators that impact academic achievement and attendance.<\/span><\/p>\n Check out some of the research articles and whitepapers that cover or were influenced by Dallas City of Learning.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”BTI BRIEF \u2013 The Learning Ecosystem Effect: A Decade of Innovation Through Dallas City of Learning” url=”https:\/\/bigthought.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/251104_DCoL-Research_Micro-Learning-Brief_FINAL.pdf” url_new_window=”on” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”i||divi||400″ _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” link_option_url=”https:\/\/bigthought.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/251104_DCoL-Research_Micro-Learning-Brief_FINAL.pdf” link_option_url_new_window=”on” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n published January 2026 by Big Thought Institute<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n The BRIEF outlines DCoL’s first decade of impact, summarizing outcomes across three major CORE analyses, and offers practical and policy insights for replication.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Dallas City of Learning Longitudinal Analysis of Student Outcomes, July 2025″ url=”https:\/\/bigthought.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BTDCOL_StudentOutcomes_2025_finaldraft.pdf” url_new_window=”on” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”i||divi||400″ icon_color=”#EE4797″ _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#EE4797″ custom_padding=”||0px|||” link_option_url=”https:\/\/bigthought.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BTDCOL_StudentOutcomes_2025_finaldraft.pdf” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n published July 2025 by <\/em>The Addy Foundation Center on Research & Evaluation<\/p>\n This longitudinal report of DCoL over a 7-year period finds that summer program participation is linked to meaningful and age-specific benefits.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Summer 2022 Preliminary Data and Feedback Report” url=”https:\/\/dallascityoflearning.org\/info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/DCoL_SoSreport22-1.pdf” url_new_window=”on” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”i||divi||400″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” link_option_url=”https:\/\/dallascityoflearning.org\/info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/DCoL_SoSreport22-1.pdf” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n published February 2023 by Big Thought Institute<\/a> and SMU Center on Research and Evaluation<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Initial data report which outlines outputs and survey information from Summer 2022<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Follow Up Report: Analysis of Dallas City of Learning Student Outcomes 2020-21″ url=”https:\/\/dallascityoflearning.org\/info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/CORE-Report-on-City-of-Learning-Outcomes-2020-2021.pdf” url_new_window=”on” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”i||divi||400″ icon_color=”#EE4797″ _builder_version=”4.19.3″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#EE4797″ custom_padding=”||0px|||” link_option_url=”https:\/\/dallascityoflearning.org\/info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/CORE-Report-on-City-of-Learning-Outcomes-2020-2021.pdf” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n published 2022 by SMU Center on Research and Evaluation<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n This spring 2022 brief report serves as a follow-up to the January 2020 report analyzing associations between participation in DCOL-affiliated summer programs over multiple summers, and observed achievement for students during the school year.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Summer 2021 Preliminary Data and Feedback Report” url=”https:\/\/dallascityoflearning.org\/info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/DCoL-Report-Preliminary-Data-and-Feedback-Report2021.pdf” url_new_window=”on” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”i||divi||400″ icon_color=”#44C8F5″ _builder_version=”4.19.3″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#44C8F5″ link_option_url=”https:\/\/dallascityoflearning.org\/info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/DCoL-Report-Preliminary-Data-and-Feedback-Report2021.pdf” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n published March 2022 by Big Thought Institute<\/a> and\u00a0 SMU Center on Research and Evaluation<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Initial data report which outlines outputs and survey information from Summer 20-2021.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Summer 2020 Evaluation Report” url=”https:\/\/www.bigthought.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/DCOL-Summer-2020-Data-11-20.pdf” url_new_window=”on” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”i||divi||400″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n published November 2020 by SMU Center on Research and Evaluation<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Initial data report which outlines outputs and survey information from Summer 2020<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Summers 2017-19 Equity Focus” url=”https:\/\/www.bigthought.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/2019_DCOL_Student-Outcomes-Analyses_EquityLens_final.pdf” url_new_window=”on” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”i||divi||400″ icon_color=”#EE4797″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#EE4797″ link_option_url=”https:\/\/www.bigthought.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/2019_DCOL_Student-Outcomes-Analyses_EquityLens_final.pdf” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n published February 2021 by SMU Center on Research and Evaluation<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n This report focuses on outcomes for Dallas ISD students that participate in DCoL-affiliated programs and explore how outcomes for students across three summers are associated with varying amounts of participation or not participation in summer programs.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Summer 2020 Report: COVID-19 Supplement” url=”https:\/\/dallascityoflearning.org\/info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/2020_DCOL_Summer20COVIDSupplement.pdf” url_new_window=”on” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”i||divi||400″ icon_color=”#44C8F5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#44C8F5″ link_option_url=”https:\/\/dallascityoflearning.org\/info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/2020_DCOL_Summer20COVIDSupplement.pdf” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n published December 2020 by SMU Center on Research and Evaluation<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n This supplemental report describes the survey results for the items specifically addressing program and participants perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic, including perceived impacts on themselves and the programs.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Student Outcomes Summers 2017-2019″ url=”https:\/\/www.bigthought.org\/insights-reports\/whitepapers\/evaluation-report-dallas-city-of-learning-student-outcomes-january-2020\/” url_new_window=”on” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”i||divi||400″ icon_color=”#4CB748″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#4CB748″ link_option_url=”https:\/\/www.bigthought.org\/insights-reports\/whitepapers\/evaluation-report-dallas-city-of-learning-student-outcomes-january-2020\/” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n published January 2020 by SMU Center on Research and Evaluation<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n This report examines student outcome data over the course of three consecutive summers, including Summers 2019, 2018 and 2017.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Every Summer Counts: A Longitudinal Analysis of Outcomes from the National Summer Learning Project” url=”https:\/\/www.wallacefoundation.org\/knowledge-center\/Documents\/Every-Summer-Counts-A-Longitudinal-Analysis-of-Outcomes-from-the-National-Summer-Learning-Project.pdf” url_new_window=”on” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”l||divi||400″ icon_color=”#F28228″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#F28228″ link_option_url=”https:\/\/www.wallacefoundation.org\/knowledge-center\/Documents\/Every-Summer-Counts-A-Longitudinal-Analysis-of-Outcomes-from-the-National-Summer-Learning-Project.pdf” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n published December 2020 by The Wallace Foundation<\/a> and RAND Corporation<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n The largest and longest study of its kind on summer learning programs reveals short- and long-term benefits among students who consistently attended voluntary, five- to six-week summer learning programs. The findings suggest that these programs can be an important component of how school districts support learning and skill development among children in low-income communities.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Summer – A Time for Learning: Five Lessons from School Districts & Their Partners about Running Successful Programs” url=”https:\/\/www.wallacefoundation.org\/knowledge-center\/Documents\/Perspective-Summer-A-Time-For-Learning.pdf” url_new_window=”on” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”l||divi||400″ icon_color=”#EE4797″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#EE4797″ link_option_url=”https:\/\/www.wallacefoundation.org\/knowledge-center\/Documents\/Perspective-Summer-A-Time-For-Learning.pdf” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n published 2019 by The Wallace Foundation<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n The report highlights five key lessons for those interested in introducing or enhancing summer learning programs managed by districts and their community partners.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Summer Learning Toolkit: Evidence-Based Tools & Guidance for Delivering Effective Programs” url=”https:\/\/www.wallacefoundation.org\/knowledge-center\/summer-learning\/toolkit\/pages\/default.aspx” url_new_window=”on” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”l||divi||400″ icon_color=”#44C8F5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#44C8F5″ link_option_url=”https:\/\/www.wallacefoundation.org\/knowledge-center\/summer-learning\/toolkit\/pages\/default.aspx” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n published 2019 by The Wallace Foundation<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n With more than<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>50, evidence-based tools and resources\u2014drawn from the work of five urban school districts and their partners, and aligned with research from RAND\u2014the Summer Learning Toolkit helps educators deliver programs that make a real difference.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Getting to Work on Summer Learning: Recommended Practices for Success, 2nd edition” url=”https:\/\/www.wallacefoundation.org\/knowledge-center\/Documents\/Getting-to-Work-on-Summer-Learning-2nd-ed.pdf” url_new_window=”on” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”l||divi||400″ icon_color=”#4CB748″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#4CB748″ link_option_url=”https:\/\/www.wallacefoundation.org\/knowledge-center\/Documents\/Getting-to-Work-on-Summer-Learning-2nd-ed.pdf” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n published December 2018 by The Wallace Foundation<\/a> and RAND Corporation<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n This report presents the best available guidance on how to develop high-quality summer programs based on extensive data collected from summer 2011 through summer 2014. Researchers from the RAND Corporation collected more than 1,200 surveys of summer instructors and 10,000 surveys of elementary grade students, conducted 900 interviews, and observed more than 2,000 hours of classroom and enrichment activities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Summer 2018 Evaluation Report” url=”https:\/\/www.bigthought.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2018_DCOL_PreliminaryReport-_20181116.pdf” url_new_window=”on” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”i||divi||400″ icon_color=”#F28228″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#F28228″ link_option_url=”https:\/\/www.bigthought.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2018_DCOL_PreliminaryReport-_20181116.pdf” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n