School’s out for the summer and for the achievement gap – it’s a major bummer. The video below explains why:
Around 50 years ago, research was conducted on the impact that summer break has on education. This meta-analysis of all the previous research on summer learning loss revealed the degree to which summer vacation affects the achievement gap. Since the publication of the report, more recent analyses have looked at changes in this summer learning loss. Between the 1970s and the newest reports, it has remained that income influences the summertime loss of reading and math knowledge. Lower income students will suffer more losses compared to middle class students, but there is more to this story.
In addition to the achievement gap that develops over the summer, students continue to fall behind since the summer causes them to lose the progress they have previously made. As a result, the achievement gap disparity between income classes grows with each grade. Specifically, research done by Kuhfeld found that seventh graders lose 36% of their reading and 50% of their math school-year gains. This is compared to the 20% of reading and 27% of math school-year gains lost by third-graders. Over the course of four school years, the gap widens by over 15% for reading skills and over 20% for math skills. This trend indicates that these summer losses need to be addressed or at the time of high school graduation the gap in abilities between income classes will be insurmountable.
There have been some initiatives to help fight summer learning loss while still allowing young students to have an enjoyable summer experience. For example, a program in Baltimore, called the Summer Arts and Learning Academy, is counteracting the trend of summer learning loss by offering unique educational opportunities to elementary schoolers from high-poverty schools. The camp is run by Young Audiences, which is a non-profit organization that focuses on education through arts-based initiatives. An article explains that, “…kids can have more hands-on learning experiences, they can tackle academics through the arts, or they can dive into new areas like robotics or acrobatics.” The Academy in Baltimore works with students by allowing them to explore spoken word, drama, dance, illustration, and other offerings to keep their minds active during the summer. The program excites young students about learning and for the return to school in the fall.
Another article discusses a similar program, Adams County Youth Initiative (ACYI), in Colorado provides similar programming. The cost of the camp is significantly reduced for its attendees: just $15 for each child. In actuality, the programs costs closer to over $500 per student. Activities emphasize sports, arts, technology, and service. ACYI offers trips to museums, zoos, and the ability to engage with other fun learning opportunities. The principal of one of the nearby schools expressed, “We definitely started school on a much more positive note…It was a very successful school year… I know the camp had something to do with it. Discipline problems were cut in half last year.” The benefits extend beyond the classroom. The number of juvenile crime reports in proximity to the school dropped by around 25% since instituting the summer camp.
The programming both camps offer targets the areas that typically suffer from summer learning loss. An article explains, “Students who took a trip to an art museum were more interested in visiting such museums in the future; the experience seems to boost students’ critical thinking skills, and may even increase math and reading test scores.” Students engaged in critical thinking summer activities are often from a higher income status. Providing camps to low-income students provides those same opportunities and aids in minimizing the learning gap that grows over the summer.
The research shows that summer learning loss has a significant impact on the achievement gap. Low-income students are falling behind at a higher rate that high-income students. Programs such as the Summer Arts and Learning Academy and ACYI fight this disparity through summer opportunities for low-income students to engage in critical thinking and other academic skills. High-income students are often already participating in these opportunities over the summer, and it is important that access be improved for all students. To donate to ACYI you can go to this link or to Young Audiences, which funds the Summer Arts and Learning Academy, you can click here to help fund programs that provide educational opportunities for low-income students during the summer.
Post by: Maggie Hall and Sarah Kaplan