Each Spring, SAIL programs convene in three forums:

• ♦ One forum typically is devoted to identifying high-quality enrichment programming and matching SAIL programs with organizations who offer enrichment programming in subjects such as the arts, STEM, and sports.
• ♦ One forum typically is devoted to training teachers on new/innovative teaching strategies and effective use of  the STAR Assessment^® .
• ♦ One forum is typically devoted to presentations and panel discussions of topics selected by the SAIL programs.

SAIL programs share informally during the year, especially as summer nears. Ad hoc convenings of small, peer groups explore topics of mutual interest.  Social media (especially slack) are used to post questions and share information.

Each September, each program’s outcomes are compiled and published. Each program is provided a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Summary that shows the program’s trends and how it compares to peers. Soon thereafter, the programs convene to discuss their results and break into small groups of like programs to discuss strategies for growth and improvement. 

2020 highlighted the power of peer learning.  The pandemic required SAIL programs to rapidly acquire expertise on topics such as distance learning and infection-prevention practices.

• ♦ Weekly zoom meetings were held to discuss these challenges. Topics selected by the programs were explored in depth.
• ♦ Social media were already in use. A slack license was acquired and 20 channels were added with 63 people participating.
• ♦ About half of SAIL’s programs elected to convert from in-person to on-line. This entailed a steep learning curve in a short time. Three national providers of on-line summer learning conducted webinars for SAIL, and the SAIL programs with on-line experience likewise shared with their peers.

SAIL was not the only organization to respond to the pandemic in extraordinary ways; our response was particularly effective because a mature peer-learning community was already in place.