"We start with one student, and then one tutor, and then one family, and then one school, and then one city. That's the sense of determination we use to change communities."
- Professor Charles J. Ogletree, Harvard Law School Jesse Climenko Professor of Law and BELL Board of Directors Chair Emeritus
BELL Summer is the only summer program scientifically proven to improve academic skills!
In a 2005 random assignment study by the Urban Institute, BELL Summer was found to significantly increase scholars’ reading skills. When compared to students who attended the same amount of school days, BELL scholars had higher reading comprehension and overall reading scores. Additionally, children’s participation in BELL Summer increased their time spent on academic activities and the number of books read by 50% as well as decreased their time spent watching television and playing computer gains. The Urban Institute also saw evidence of positive impacts on the degree to which parents encouraged their children to read and the degree to which they read with their children. Click here to read more on the study.
Success
100% of BELL's first class of scholars is enrolled in or has graduated from college.
Academic Performance
BELL scholars consistently outperform their peers in both reading and math skill acquisition and advancement.
In BELL Summer, scholars on average consistently gain five months' grade-equivalent skills in reading and math.
In BELL After School, scholars on average consistently gain skills over the length of the program (for example, over five months BELL scholars can gain, on average, over seven months of grade-equivalent reading and math skills).
Self-Confidence
89% of BELL scholars showed increased self-confidence in just one program cycle.
Social Development
84% of BELL scholars showed increased social skills and peer relation skills in just one program cycle.
Impact
After enrolling in BELL, scholars have higher academic aspirations – with 73% wanting to go to college compared to only 18% at the start of the program.
Parent Engagement & Satisfaction
100% of BELL parents and guardians attend orientation sessions and speak with teachers and tutors about their child's progress.
64% of BELL parents and guardians attend one or more BELL events and celebrations.
BELL'S IMPACT STUDY
The BELL Summer program is scientifically proven to increase children's reading skills and levels of parental involvement. READ MORE
2008 ANNUAL REPORT
BELL's 2008 annual report is now available for download! FULL REPORT
August 2, 2010 The August 2010 issue of TIME Magazine features a seven-page expose on summer learning loss, and showcases programs, like BELL, making a difference for the kids who need it most. View the PDF
June 21, 2010 The Wallace Foundation annouces a 3-year $4 million grant to BELL as part of its
initiative to provide students with more time for high-quality learning! Read more
June 20, 2010
New England Patriots players wrote their own plays for a day, coaching teams in the third annual BELL Bowl at Gillette Stadium to support summer learning. Read More
BELL is on Facebook