School Effects & Summer Learning By: Maggi, Aaron, & Alaina

What did you do over the summer growing up?

Today’s Lecture 1. What does “summer learning/school effects” mean, and why is it important to SOC 3452? 2. Summer learning worldwide: how does the U.S. compare? 3. Historical perspectives on summer learning 4. Role of gender, race and socioeconomic status on summer learning 5. Possible American policy solutions 6. How can we connect summer learning to CEL? Summarize articles to start?

What is the Summer Learning Loss? Why is it important? Loss of academic academic skills and knowledge over the course of summer vacation -- varies across subject, age and SES Losses in math are fairly consistent across family income; however, reading losses are more drastic in more disadvantaged students Chief contributor to the achievement gap Health/safety concern for lower-income students who lack stability, supervision and good nutrition during the summer months Students who experience the most loss are high-risk to begin with, further perpetuating inequalities/widening gaps

How has this evolved over time in the US? -Stagnant reading and math scores

How does the issue play out in other countries around the world How does the issue play out in other countries around the world? Why does it play out differently in the US? Inequality comparisons: http://www.oecd.org/social/inequality.htm More from OECD: “Inequalities which surface in the job-market are often entrenched during education… Poorer students struggle to compete with their wealthier classmates and go on to lower levels of educational attainment, smaller salaries, and most strikingly, shorter lives.” “Investing in education and training will pay long-term dividends for the economy, for individual well-being, and for the overall prosperity of our societies.” School calendar structures are the same, but achievement gaps are different Why?

Average national math scores, actual and re-weighted using top-scoring country average social class group distribution, for U.S. and six comparison countries, PISA 2009

How do gender, race and socioeconomic status play a role? - According to the “Educational research institution,” Summer Learning loss affects Girls and boys equally, Less talented students more than talented students. - Coleman Report: Hypothesizes that Educational outcomes are more affected by socioeconomic status than Schools themselves -Found that Differences could be accounted for by socioeconomic status, school effects, and community. -Found Gap was largest For African americans (specifically in the south) and Puerto Ricans.

Coleman Findings: Family Background Accounts For a majority of the variance in Achievement, most of which happens in the earliest years Teacher Quality Makes A difference for some Background of the individual student mattered, but racial composition of the school mattered more Facilities Matter (A Little bit)

Reasons for Summer Learning Loss Small-group discussion time Concerted cultivation and the accomplishment of natural growth (Lareau) Ties back to our poll In your opinion, should the effects of the “summer slide” be the responsibility of the schools or the factors outside the schools (i.e. family and home life, parental influence, etc.) If you think the inequality comes from outside the schools, is that still our collective responsibility? Does your opinion change across SES lines?

American Policy

So what is being done? New programs created After school and summer literacy programs Spotlight on STEM Expanding libraries Realizing potential of summer At my school: Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program Other examples?

Year Round School https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=UtcAgx_qjEQ

Discussion Questions What was the most convincing argument for year-round school for you in the video? Do you think the intercession can make a lasting difference on school outcomes? Do you think this is the right solution for increased student performance for all people?

Connection to our Community Learning Sites School vs. home environmental influences are important. Unequal Opportunities For many students, school might be the best part of their day, so try to encourage their success Do your research Don’t try to “fix” things!

Summer Learning Loss affects many: Summary Summer Learning Loss affects many: Kids Schools Teachers Parents Taxpayers Government

So what’s the solution? Discussion questions: Is summer learning loss a child, school, family, or societal problem? What do you see as the best solution to summer learning loss prevention? To the contrary, is this a problem that needs a “solution?”