Summer Learning Loss
Research spanning 100 years has proven that students lose ground academically when they are out of school for the summer. The problem is particularly acute among low-income students, who lose an average of more than two months in reading achievement in the summer. This slows their progress toward third grade reading proficiency. And it exacerbates the achievement gap since their middle-class peers, who are more likely to be in enrichment programs or reading at home, actually make slight gains over the summer. In fact, researchers at Johns Hopkins University attribute two-thirds of the achievement gap in reading to unequal summer learning opportunities in the elementary school years. By the end of fifth grade, disadvantaged children are nearly three grade equivalents behind their more affluent peers in reading. This can affect whether the student will earn a high school diploma or go to college.
Funders, policymakers and community leaders can help schools and local organizations address summer learning loss by supporting strong programs engaging more children in summer learning opportunities. Transcending the punitive and remedial model of summer school, summer learning’s new form is a blend of core academic learning, hands-on activities, arts, sports, technology and meaningful relationships.
Funders can augment public investment in summer programs and help align dollars from other programs—libraries, recreation and juvenile services—to provide comprehensive programming. The National Summer Learning Association suggests implementing a new vision for summer learning that:
- Increases the duration and intensity of programming to a six-week, full-day model.
- Expands participation to all students in Title 1 schools, or all youth living in poverty.
- Changes the focus from narrow remediation and test preparation to one that blends academic learning in core subjects, hands-on activities, technology and enrichment.
- Strengthens and expands partnerships between schools, community organizations and public agencies to leverage resources, identify gaps and improve programs.
- Provides incentives to students that improve attendance and engagement with enrichment activities such as arts, music, and sports and free breakfast and lunch.
- Offers innovative professional development for educators and youth development leaders.
- Engages in rigorous evaluation of implementation and impact to strengthen the evidence base for “what works.”
- Moves summer programs from the periphery to the core of school reform strategies through better planning, infrastructure, data collection and accountability.
Resources
The National Summer Learning Association serves as a network hub for thousands of summer learning program providers and stakeholders across the country, providing tools, resources and expertise to improve program quality, generate support and increase access and participation. The association offers professional development, quality assessment and evaluation, best practices, and strategic consulting to states, school districts, community organizations and funders.
For more information contact Gary Huggins, CEO, National Summer Learning Association, ghuggins@summerlearning.org, 410-856-1370 ext. 101. Visit www.summerlearning.org for additional resources.
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