Every child needs access to quality summer-learning opportunities in order to avoid summer-learning loss — and to be successful all year long.
WHY IS SUMMER LEARNING IMPORTANT?
Summer learning loss is cumulative and disproportionately affects students from low-income families. Quality summer learning includes intentional academic programming, enrichment activities, literacy, physical activity, health and nutrition, and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Watch this video to learn more about the importance of summer learning, particularly for disadvantaged children:
GET THE FACTS
- All young people experience learning losses when they do not engage in educational activities during the summer.
- 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
- 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
- Parents consistently cite summer as the most difficult time to ensure that their children have productive things to do.
Listen to this quick radio interview that aired on “Looking at Education” on KALW 91.7 FM in San Francisco with Summer Matters Campaign Co-Chair Jennifer Peck.
What is summer learning loss and what can parents do to help their children? Learn more by listening to this 30-minute “Let’s Chat” segment on Radio Disney AM 1310.
CHECK OUT RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND PTAS
- Six Elements of Great Summer Learning — A six-point checklist to help parents identify quality summer learning opportunities for their children.
- Five Ways to Keep Your Kids Learning All Summer Long — A five-point checklist of easy, effective and affordable ways that parents can keep their kids’ minds and bodies healthy and active during the critical summer learning months.
WE’RE STANDING STRONG IN SUPPORT OF SUMMER LEARNING
California State PTA strongly supports summer learning and adopted a resolution titled “Summer Learning Loss” at the 2013 annual convention urging federal, state and local policymakers to create and fund summer learning programs, especially for disadvantaged youth. Additionally, a 1980 California State PTA convention resolution titled “Summer School” urges PTA to “seek and support legislation to offer, and separately fund, summer school for remediation, enrichment and reinforcement of the course of study for elementary and secondary students.”