For many of us, it means long, warm days filled with sunshine and fun. But for a lot of Michigan children and youth, it’s a time when much-needed opportunities for learning, adult connection and daily structure are lost.

As the state of Michigan and the nation continue to move beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, we know our young people have a good deal of academic, social and personal ground to make up. Right now, summer learning is more important than ever.

And it’s essential that we get it right.