According to the Newton Summer Adventure Website, "The hands-on activities promote conceptual learning and problem-solving skills, attributes which are shown to lead to increased academic performance in school.
"[3] The Columbia school district independently confirmed that Summer Adventure resulted in improved reading test scores for participants.
[5] Depending on the district, Summer Adventure also holds drawings for daily incentives and gift cards, as well as bigger prizes like the Xbox 360.
[8] Rep. Maynard Wallace, a Missouri legislator, attempted in December 2004 to pass a bill blocking school districts from using Newton Learning and other for-profit companies to gain state aid.
[9] Clay Routledge, a doctoral student in psychology, commented that monetary reinforcements for summer school would decrease intrinsic motivation for learning.