In summer, students from historically-disadvantaged families can lose academic gains made during the previous school year at a much higher rate than their peers. 1
Summer learning losses accumulate each year to impact third grade reading proficiency.2 In fact, educators say they are especially concerned about students living in poverty, English-language learners and students with disabilities.3
Summer slide in the early grades is a predictor of:
- High school course placement (advanced vs. basic classes)
- High school drop-out rates
- College attendance rates4
Summer learning programs can help children gain and retain math and reading skills, if they are high-quality and sufficiently intense.5
2
(Source:
)
1 in 8
7 in 10
(Source:
)
What Can We Do About It?
What supports promotion to the next grade?
- A comprehensive, aligned education system from birth through third grade
- Early identification of developmental delays and learning problems and effective intervention, including tiered, integrated student supports, supports to enable family engagement in students’ learning, and attention to summer learning loss
- Promotion of educational equity to ensure that students facing the most obstacles to success receive the most supports
Featured Resources
Toolkit
Get the 2022 Summer Learning Toolkit!
Our 2022 Summer Learning Toolkit is a great resource for summer program providers! The easy-to-use toolkit can help program staff understand the importance of summer learning so that they can communicate effectively with parents. Complete the short form below and then you will be able to access all of the resources for the Summer Learning Toolkit.
Report/Fact Sheet/Issue Brief
What Works for Third Grade Reading: Summer Learning
This brief considers why Summer Learning matters for third grade reading proficiency, outlines its connection with other factors that impact early literacy, and highlights options that have been shown to move the needle on summer learning outcomes. It is one of 12 working papers that offer research-based policy, practice and program options to states and communities working to improve third grade reading proficiency.
Report/Fact Sheet/Issue Brief
What Works for Third Grade Reading: An Overview of the NC Pathways to Grade-Level Reading
The paper provides an introduction to a series of 12 working papers that offer research-based policy, practice and program options to states and communities working to improve third grade reading proficiency. Read this document first before delving into the papers.
Data tool
Pathways Data Dashboard
The Pathways Data Dashboard includes North Carolina data on more than 60 measures of child development that research shows influence third-grade reading scores. Whenever possible, the dashboard presents data at the state level, compared to national averages; at the county or school district level; by race and ethnicity; by income; by age; and over several years
The Pathways Data Dashboard supports a statewide effort to improve the collection, analysis and use of early childhood data in NC for young children, birth to age eight. It can be used by state and local policymakers, government agencies, community service providers, child advocacy organizations, Smart Start partnerships, Campaign for Grade-Level Reading communities and others to make data-informed decisions about investments in early childhood and changes to policies and practices that affect young children and their families