Decades of research confirm that summer learning loss is a real phenomenon, particularly for low-income students of color. Over the summer, these students lose two to three months in reading achievement, according to the National Summer Learning Association.

Much of that summer slide can be prevented by implementing free and low-cost summer learning programs. This year Project MALES (Mentoring to Achieve Latino Educational Success), a program within the DDCE, is launching its first Summer Academy for AISD young males of color. Students from four AISD schools will participate in a variety of interactive workshops at Gus Garcia Young Men’s Leadership Academy June 15-16. The program will conclude with a campus tour at UT Austin on June 17.

On Wednesday, June 15, students will participate in workshops on leadership development, brotherhood and college and career readiness, led by Zell Miller, of Austin SafePlace; Manuel Villanueva, of Austin/Travis County; and the Project MALES team.

The following day, they will attend workshops on creative writing, spoken word and teatro led by Sarah Rafael Garcia, of Barrio Writers, Empowering Teens through Creative Writing; Roxanne Schroeder-Arce, UT Austin theater professor; and Dr. Lilia Rosas, director of Red Salmon Arts and Resistencia Bookstore.

In alignment with President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative, the goal of the Summer Academy is to improve educational outcomes and opportunities for historically underserved young males of color in the Central Texas region.

The Summer Academy, offered free of charge,  is supported by the Kuhn Foundation and Austin ISD. Visit this website for more details: http://www.ddcetest.info/projectmales/