SEG completed its comprehensive evaluation study of the Newport News Public Schools' SPARK program. SPARK, the Summer Program for Arts, Recreation and Knowledge, is an initiative of the Newport News Public Schools (Virginia) in partnership with local businesses, museums, non-profit organizations and city agencies that provides an engaging menu of offerings for students four days a week during the summer. The school district commissioned SEG to assess whether the program improved student achievement and helped prevent or eliminate "summer slide," or students' summer learning loss. The study recently concluded with a committee presentation to the Newport News School Board.
The Daily Press, the daily newspaper serving Newport News, Hampton, and the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, provided coverage of the SPARK evaluation study presentation to the School Board. The newspaper article provided highlights of the study and the school district's commitment to follow through with program adjustments in response to the findings.