Summer Learning Labs return

Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 3:06 PM

By Kathy Bottorff

State Representative Jack Jordan (R-Bremen) has announced the return of the Summer Learning Labs (SLL), a free, five-week educational program designed to provide high-quality reading and math instruction to Hoosier students over the break.

The enrichment program is available at no cost to students who will be entering grades one through nine in the upcoming school year. This summer, nearly 12,000 students across the state are expected to participate.

"In 2021, I supported establishing the Student Learning Recovery Grant Program to help young Hoosiers falling behind academically during the pandemic," Jordan stated.

He explained that initial funding launched the first Summer Learning Labs in Indianapolis under the leadership of The Mind Trust and United Way of Central Indiana. Following significant academic progress among participating students, the Indiana Department of Education partnered with The Mind Trust to expand the initiative statewide.

"This program is continuing this summer to help students thrive academically and provide additional support options," Jordan added.

The program has demonstrated a proven track record of success. Over the past two years, students attending the Summer Learning Labs have achieved double-digit percentage point proficiency gains in both reading and math.

These local gains mirror broader educational improvements across the state. Recently, Hoosier third graders saw a nearly five percentage point increase in literacy rates on the 2024-2025 Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination (IREAD) assessment. Furthermore, Indiana placed sixth in the nation for fourth and eighth-grade reading in the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) rankings.

"I encourage students to take advantage of this free resource and keep on learning this summer!" Jordan said.

Families interested in learning more about the Summer Learning Labs or finding a location can visit www.thesummerlearninglabs.com