BRIDGING THE GAP: National Summer Learning Association notes students at risk during down time

To succeed in school and life, children and young adults need ongoing opportunities to learn and practice essential skills. This is especially true during the summer months.

The National Summer Learning Association notes the following facts based on research over the years.

Many Americans have a wonderful image of summer as a carefree, happy time when "kids can be kids,” and take for granted the prospect of enriching experiences such as summer camps, time with family, and trips to museums, parks, and libraries.

Unfortunately, some youth face anything but idyllic summer months. When the school doors close, many children struggle to access educational opportunities, as well as basic needs such as healthy meals and adequate adult supervision.

Did you know?

•                All young people experience learning losses when they do not engage in educational activities during the summer. Research spanning 100 years shows that students typically score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer vacation than they do on the same tests at the beginning of the summer.

•                Most students lose about two months of grade level equivalency in mathematical computation skills over the summer months. Low-income students also lose more than two months in reading achievement, despite the fact that their middle-class peers make slight gains.

•                More than half of the achievement gap between lower- and higher-income youth can be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities. As a result, low-income youth are less likely to graduate from high school or enter college.

•                Children lose more than academic knowledge over the summer. Most children—particularly children at high risk of obesity—gain weight more rapidly when they are out of school during summer break.

•                Parents consistently cite summer as the most difficult time to ensure that their children have productive things to do.

The vision of the National Summer Learning Association is for every child to be safe, healthy and engaged in learning during the summer. Its mission is to connect and equip schools, providers, communities and families to deliver high-quality summer learning opportunities and help to close the achievement gap and support healthy development.

For more on the organization, click here.