National Summer Learning Day

Did you know that during the summer most children lose about two months’ worth of math and reading skills? Research spanning 100 years shows that students typically score lower on standardized tests taken at the end of summer vacation than they do on the same tests taken at the beginning of the break.

While many middle-class kids improve their reading ability over the summer, most low-income students lose almost a full semester of language-arts skills. The achievement gap between lower- and higher-income youths can be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities. As a result, low-income students are less likely to graduate from high school or enter college.

Parents are essential for fighting summer learning loss by encouraging their kids to stay engaged and make everyday activities educational. President Barack Obama understands this, which is why he designated July 9 as National Summer Learning Day:

“I call upon all Americans to support students as they participate in summer learning. I encourage students, parents, educators, and the nonprofit community to engage in summer learning activities so that youth return to school poised for academic advancement.”

There are many simple activities you can do with your child to help him or her retain skills learned during the school year. Read to your kids every day, participate in your library’s summer reading program, explore parks and nature preserves, visit museums and cultural centers, or practice basic math skills while cooking.

Contact your child’s teacher to find out what he or she will be learning next year, and ask for ideas on developing those skills during the summer.

In the meantime, sign up for our tips to prevent summer brain drain, check out our Summer Reading Guide, and tell us what you plan to do to keep learning alive all year long!

Thanks to crimfants for the festive old photo.

Comments

[D Golden on July 09, 2009 at 05:47 PM]

If a parent really wants to stop the summer slide loss of knowledge in reading and math, they should visit & use www.mindsprinting.com. It provides FREE K-12 math and reading tutoring via worksheet programs tailored to the individual student based upon the results of an online Assessment Test thereby allowing each student to start at his/her appropriate level and advance at his/her own pace. After the Test, lessons are ASSIGNED - and for as little as 30-45 minutes a day their child will progress right in front of their eyes. More importantly, the parents will be INVOLVED. Lessons are printed so that computer facilities are not tied up. Lessons may be obtained anywhere there is a printer and Internet access. Answer keys are also provided and mastery must be evidenced before a student advances to the next unit/level. Similar programs would cost $2,000 per student in a Kumon tutoring center. Its FREE, proven programs have been approved for NCLB tutoring and are used by schools and families across the U.S. and the world. It also offers a special math program that covers, by grade and by state, all of the requirements of the NCLB-required annual state exam. Here's a FREE website where parents can actually do something to help their kids improve their essential skills for about 5-10 minutes a day; they don't have to design lesson plans or spend great amounts of time (which few parents have these days). Thank you.

[Involved Mom on July 09, 2009 at 06:42 PM]

I don't believe that low income children don't have access to reading materials. Children need to be made aware of public libraries.

Parents need to be held responsible for their actions--including letting kids sit in front of a TV and zone for three months. Try free resources like SOSClassroom.org for more K-8 materials.

To me, this sounds like more baiting to force year-round schooling whether we're fighting to get off of it or not.

[Kelsey Parker on July 13, 2009 at 10:19 AM]

Thanks, D Golden and Involved Mom for your recommendations of free eLearning resources!