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You are here: Home / Supporting Success / Success over the Summer / Did You Know – Facts about Summer Vacation and Learning

Did You Know – Facts about Summer Vacation and Learning

June 14, 2021 by Alison Morse

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 (Cooper, 1996).

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 (Alexander et al, 2007).

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 (Von Hippel et al, 2007).

Parents consistently cite summer as the most difficult time to ensure that their children have productive things to do (Duffett et al, 2004).

Source: National Summer Learning Institute website at: http://www.summerlearning.org/?page=know_the_facts

Filed Under: Success over the Summer

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A little about Alison

As the mother of two girls, one with cerebral palsy, I have been advocating in the school system for almost 25 years. I have a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Geography and never expected to become so involved with the school system and supports for students with disabilities.

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