Summertime and the Learning is Easy

Now that the lazy, hazy days of summer are upon us, it does not mean that the learning has to stop. Studies have shown that students given a 2-3 month break for the summer lose a great deal of the gains they made in class the prior school year.

Researchers have found that summer learning loss equals at least one month of instruction, as measured by grade level equivalents on standardized test scores. On average, students tests scores were at least one month lower when they returned to school in the fall than scores were when students left in the spring. Summer knowledge loss was more pronounced for math facts and spelling than for other tested skill areas.

Given what we know about the challenges students have in retaining material over the summer, what can parents do to stem this brain drain? There are several areas you may want to focus on when looking at how to structure summer learning time for your child.

Over the next week I will share with you some things you can do to stem the summer brain drain.

Stay tuned!