The National Summer Learning Association has made available the 2014 New York Life Excellence in Summer Learning Award application–due on Feb. 14. Last year’s winners  included programs in two GLR communities–Boston and Charlotte–and many other communities have been actively using summer learning in a variety of creative ways to advance early literacy over the past year. If you know of strong summer reading programs, encourage them to apply.  A program in your community could win $10,000 from Excellence Award sponsor New York Life Foundation! 

 The New York Life Excellence in Summer Learning Award recognizes outstanding summer programs that demonstrate excellence in accelerating academic achievement and promoting healthy development for young people between kindergarten and twelfth grade. Three programs will win the Gold Award, which includes a $10,000 award from Excellence Award sponsor New York Life Foundation! Previous winners have used the recognition in fundraising efforts and received local and national publicity. NSLA also works closely with each award winner to promote awardees to media and policymakers.

All applicants receive detailed written feedback—highlighting both strengths and recommendations for improvement based on NSLA’s quality standards. The streamlined application process makes it easy for you to put your program in the running.

You can learn more and download the application at www.summerlearning.org/excellenceaward. Applications are due to NSLA by Friday, Feb. 14.