MASSACHUSETTS HAS A generational opportunity to change thousands of lives by filling a conspicuous gap in our education system. We can do this by giving our students—particularly the most disadvantaged—more of what they actually want and need: robust summer and after-school learning and enrichment opportunities.

Currently, the state’s primary vehicles for funding such opportunities—the Afterschool/Out-of-School Time (ASOST) and Summer Learning budget items—are an important initial step in the right direction. However, much more is needed to meet the needs of students and families.

Consider the scale of that need: Children spend 80 percent of their waking hours during their K-12 years outside of school. It is a shocking but true statistic. And children learn every bit as much, if not more, outside of school, provided they have the opportunity.

For the 20 percent of time spent in school, we invest an average of over $23,000 per student per year. For the 80 percent of time spent outside of school, public expenditures sit at a mere $13 per student.

Affluent families fill this gap out of their own pockets, paying for camps, tutoring, sports, travel, and music lessons. But those without these financial resources are simply out of luck. This profound opportunity gap has a significant impact on educational achievement and attainment, representing a glaring inequity in our system.

While Massachusetts has made historic commitments to schooling recently, the math for out-of-school learning doesn’t yet add up. Legislators can and should change this dynamic starting with the fiscal year 2027 budget. For context, our state funding for public schools in FY 2025 was roughly $6.9 billion. By comparison, the $11.5 million allocated for summer and after-school programs in the FY 2026 budget is a drop in the bucket.

Consider that $11.5 million in comparison to other vital investments related to education:

  • $475 million for early learning grants
  • $190 million for free community college
  • $180 million for universal free school meals
  • $25 million for high-dosage tutoring

This gross disparity between in-school and out-of-school learning investments represents a singular challenge for the Commonwealth. We need a new mindset regarding when and how learning occurs. We must create year-round opportunities that are affordable and accessible to all students. Otherwise, our quest for an equal-opportunity society can never succeed.

Research consistently shows that out-of-school hours represent a fork in the road for young people. For those without access to structured programs, these hours present substantial physical, emotional, and educational risks. For those with access, this time produces measurable gains in academic performance, mental health, and long-term earning potential. In fact, RAND’s national study on summer learning—which included Boston’s 5th Quarter of Learning—showed that participants outperformed their peers in math, language arts, and key navigational skills.

Voters clearly support a significant state investment. According to the latest America After 3PM report, an overwhelming 93 percent of Massachusetts parents favor public funding for these programs—a rare point of total agreement between Democrats and Republicans. Yet, the state has not acted on this consensus. For every one child currently enrolled in an after-school program in the Commonwealth, three more are waiting for a spot. This is a travesty.

The mechanism for success already exists; now, it needs to grow. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education administers these funds with high levels of accountability, ensuring that the vast diversity of program approaches is complemented by common, rigorous performance measures.

As the House and Senate draft their budgets over the next few months, the objective should be clear: It is time to start filling the gap, dramatically increasing support for out-of-school learning, and making good on our promise of equal learning opportunities for all.

When we invest in this 80 percent of a child’s life, we open up a new horizon of opportunity, and everyone wins. Families get the peace of mind that comes with safe, structured environments. Students get much-needed learning and enrichment while building essential “power skills”—teamwork, problem-solving, and persistence.

Ultimately, our Commonwealth gains a better-educated citizenry and a workforce ready to lead.

Chris Smith is executive director of Boston After School & Beyond. Paul Reville is a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, founder of its Education Redesign Lab, and a former Massachusetts secretary of education.