How to Address Summer Learning Loss

Addressing Summer Learning Loss

Summer learning loss, or “summer slide,” has been a concern in K-12 education for decades. Evidence shows that students lose ground academically during summer breaks, particularly in math and for low-income students. With the added challenges of COVID-19, addressing these gaps is more critical than ever.

Yes, Summer Slide Is Real

Here are some findings on summer learning loss:

• Students in grades 1-8 lose 17%-34% of the prior year’s learning gains during summer break, with greater losses in future summers for those who fall behind.¹
• Achievement scores decline by an average of one month, with math losses steeper than reading.²
• By fifth grade, low-income children are nearly three grade levels behind their peers due to summer slide.³
• Low-income students lose an average of two months in reading over the summer.⁴

Tips for Addressing Summer Learning Loss

1. Implement summer learning programs: Programs that integrate academic interventions with enrichment activities like STEM, robotics, and social-emotional learning help mitigate learning loss and close achievement gaps.
2. Make books readily available: Providing access to free books, such as through public libraries, helps improve reading achievement. Allowing children to choose their own books boosts reading comprehension, writing, and vocabulary.
3. Encourage journaling: Daily journaling is a great way for students to maintain writing skills while expressing creativity and capturing summer memories.

Addressing Academic and Social-Emotional Gaps

Academic

Accelerated learning programs, like Catapult Learning’s Summer Journey, help students retain and build skills. For example, one study showed students in Summer Journey returned to school with significantly higher math and reading scores.⁵

Social-Emotional Learning

Social-emotional support is equally important. Non-cognitive skills and enrichment activities like STEM/STEAM foster a sense of community and belonging. Programs utilizing community resources enhance well-being, knowledge, and skills, preparing students for the next academic year.

How Catapult Learning’s Summer Journey Can Help

Catapult Learning’s Summer Journey program addresses academic, social, and emotional needs through literacy and math intervention, STEM enrichment, social-emotional learning, and family support services. The program is designed to prepare students for success in the upcoming school year.

Download Summer Journey Brochure

Sources

• American Educational Research Journal
• Brookings Research
• Leveraging Summer for Student Success Report
• Colorado Department of Education
• Summer Journey Report