Transitioning from School Year to Summer and Back Again Erica Cherup Information Services Manager Columbus Metropolitan Library

Agenda for today’s session 1.Discuss the facts and research about Summer Learning Loss 2.Group discussion on how to combat Summer Learning Loss 3.Learn about organizations trying to help students during the summer and throughout the school year 4.Description of the Summer Reading Club and Ready to Read programs at the Columbus Metropolitan Library 5.Discussion and questions

What’s wrong with summer vacation? There are several ways that summer can be harmful to students: Research shows that students experience a loss in academic skills during the summer months, known as Summer Learning Loss or the Summer Slide Students from low-income or economically disadvantaged families experience larger losses over time than their peers Children that qualify for free and reduced lunches often do not have access to nutritious meals during the summer

Summer Learning Loss In 1906, an article by W. White was published in American Education that showed students’ test scores were lower after summer break, thus indicating a Summer Slide. Further research has shown that low-income students suffer larger overall losses than other students. SubjectLow-income studentMiddle- or High-income student Math2 months Reading2 monthsSlight gains Source: Cooper, H., Nye, B., Charlton, K., Lindsay, J., & Greathouse, S. (1996). The effects of summer vacation on achievement test scores: A narrative and meta-analytic review. Review of Educational Research, 66,

Summer Learning Loss Why are low-income students affected more than higher-income students? Parents with more financial resources are more likely to be able to afford to enroll their children into summer camps and educational programs, and provide their children with supplemental educational support at home Low-income parents want their children to learn as much as higher-income parents do, but they often lack the ability and means to help them be successful in school

Summer Learning Loss In 1982, the Baltimore-based Beginning School Study started tracking a random sample of Baltimore area students, monitoring them from first grade through age 22. The sample included students from various racial, ethic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Students in the study took achievement tests in the fall and spring, allowing the study to compare school year learning (fall to spring) to summer learning (spring to fall).

Summer Learning Loss The results? Students from all backgrounds showed similar academic gains during the school year; however, the achievement gap between low-income and higher-income students widened due to losses during the summer months and unequal access to summer learning programs Out of the sample group studied, 7% of the low-income students attended a 4 year college, compared to 60% of the higher-income students

Summer Learning Loss Without summer learning opportunities: Each summer, students fall farther behind and have a harder time catching up during the school year Since students are behind in the fall, teachers are not able to start teaching new content right away Over time, students who have fallen behind due to their summer learning losses may not be able to go to college or even graduate high school

Other Summer Losses Meals: Low-income students may not be getting healthy lunches (or lunch at all) during the summer months This can have side effects, such as an increased chance of obesity and poor overall health Supervision: Low-income parents often cannot afford childcare, leading to children being left to care for themselves (and siblings)

What Can We Do? There are differing opinions on how to combat Summer Learning Loss. Here are three popular options: 1.Summer Learning Programs – these can be formal or informal, but all serve the goal of getting students engaged in learning all year long 2.School Year Reform – having a longer school year might diminish the losses students have during the summer 3.Parent Education – target low-income parents to give them ways to support their child’s education at home

Group Discussion Proposal – what will your program entail? Obstacles/Challenges – what’s standing in your way of success? Partnerships – who can you call in to help? Success – how will you track the effectiveness of your program?

National Organizations and Resources National Summer Learning Association RAND Education urban-students.html The Campaign for Grade Level Reading Reading is Fundamental

Local Organizations and Resources Ohio Department of Education – Third Grade Reading Guarantee Reading-Guarantee Reimagine Columbus Education Champion of Children – United Way of Central Ohio

Summer Reading Club Each summer, the Columbus Metropolitan Library hosts one of the largest summer reading programs in the United States. The purpose of Summer Reading Club is to help prevent loss of reading skills by encouraging kids to read over the summer. In 2012, over 58,000 kids ages 0-11 participated in Summer Reading Club, with 60% completing the program. Library branches host over 1300 fun and educational programs throughout the summer to help keep kids excited about reading and learning all summer long.

Free Summer Lunch Program Several of our library branches provide a free lunch for kids that don’t have access to nutritious meals during the summer. Lunches are provided by the Columbus Department of Parks and Recreation: In other branches where free lunch is not offered, library staff make sure kids know where to go to get a free lunch in their community, and in some cases, visit those lunch sites and talk to kids about books and reading.

Ready to Read Ready to Read is a parent education initiative designed to help parents teach early literacy skills to their children. CML has a Ready to Read Corps. These staff members target low- income parents, especially new or expecting mothers, to show them how to work with their children and help them understand the importance of teaching literacy skills to their children at an early age.

Group Discussion What does your organization do to help students succeed? What will you take back to your organization? What will you do differently after learning about Summer Reading Loss?