PART 1: What is SUMMER LEARNING LOSS?​

This is part 1 of an eight-part series of our Summer Learning Loss Prevention Campaign.

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Summer learning loss (SLL) or "summer slide" is the decline of students' academic skills and knowledge that happens during long breaks from school. For more than a century, educators and researchers have been trying to use data to better measure learning loss and figure out how to prevent it. On average, about one month's worth of learning loss occurs each summer. This means by the end of 5th grade, if no preventative measures are taken, a child could experience over half-a-year's worth of learning loss. For this reason, some school districts have considered adopting or have adopted the year-round school system where there is no traditional summer breaks.

The amount of learning loss that occurs varies greatly depending on the age, subject, family's income level, and other factors. Summer learning loss seems to be more emphasized in younger kids (K and 1st grade) as basic math and reading skills (and learning habits) have not been solidified yet. Between math and reading, there seems to be more learning loss in math. Children lose up to 2-3 months worth of math skills that they have learned in the previous school year. This may be because children are not reminded of or have the chance to review the majority of their math skills they learn in school over the summer; whereas, children still have exposure to reading outside of school. Family's income level can also affect the amount of learning loss directly and indirectly. Families with a higher income level tend to live in school districts where there are more educational programs available in the summer. Furthermore, they usually have more access to books, other enrichment activities, and adults who can guide and help them.​

Regardless of all the reasons for summer learning loss, during the summer, many parents struggle to provide activities for their kids. What if you could keep your kids away from the screen (most of the time) and also prevent or minimize their learning loss? Stay tuned for PART 2 where we will delve into learning loss in English reading and writing.

​​​​​Atteberry, A., & McEachin, A. (2020, May). EdWorkingPapers. School’s Out: The Role of Summers in Understanding Achievement Disparities. https://edworkingpapers.com/sites/default/files/SchoolsOut_AtteberryMcEachin_2020_0520.pdf

Kuhfeld, M., & McEachin, A. (2024, August 26). Summer learning loss: What we know and what we’re learning. Teach. Learn. Grow. https://www.nwea.org/blog/2024/summer-learning-loss-what-we-know-what-were-learning/#:~:text=During%20summer%202022%2C%20an%20estimated,instruction%20and%20engaging%20extracurricular%20activities.