Summer Boost Camp and Summer Elevate Programme
Help your child get 30% ahead over the Summer Holidays! Stop the summer dip with our flexible Summer Boost Camp or Summer Elevate Programme.
The “summer dip,” also known as summer learning loss, refers to the decline in academic skills and knowledge over the course of the summer holidays when school isn’t in session. This phenomenon has been extensively studied, and the results consistently show its significant impact on children’s progress, particularly in reading and maths. Here are some key facts and findings
Reading Level Decline
– Research indicates that students can lose up to 20-30% of their school-year gains in reading during the summer months.
– Low-income students, in particular, experience a more pronounced decline, often losing more than two months of reading achievement over the summer.
– By the end of secondary school, children who experience consistent summer reading loss can be nearly three grade levels behind their peers who do not experience this loss.
Cumulative Effect
– The effects of summer learning loss are cumulative, leading to a widening achievement gap over the years. Studies show that students who do not engage in educational activities during the summer can fall behind by about two months each year.
– Over the course of a student’s academic career, this can result in a significant gap in knowledge and skills, particularly in reading proficiency and comprehension.
Maths Skills Regression
– Students lose an average of two months of grade-level equivalency in mathematical computation skills over the summer.
– Unlike reading, summer learning loss in math affects students from all income levels relatively equally.
Long-term Academic Impact
– The summer dip contributes to a long-term gap in achievement. The summer learning loss accounts for roughly two-thirds of the achievement gap in reading between lower-income students and their more affluent peers.
– This learning loss not only impacts academic performance but also affects students’ confidence and motivation in school.
Behavioural and Attitudinal Effects
– Summer learning loss can lead to decreased self-esteem and a negative attitude towards school. Students who struggle to keep up with their peers may become disengaged and less likely to participate in class or pursue academic challenges.
Evidence from Studies
Cooper et al. (1996): A seminal study by Cooper and his colleagues reviewed 39 studies on summer learning loss and found that students typically score lower on standardized tests at the end of the summer compared to the beginning. The loss was more pronounced in math than in reading, and students from lower-income families experienced greater losses in reading.
National Summer Learning Association (NSLA): The NSLA reports that most students lose about two months of grade-level equivalency in mathematical computation skills over the summer months. Moreover, low-income students lose more than two months in reading achievement, while their middle-income peers tend to make slight gains in reading over the summer.
Alexander, Entwisle, and Olson (2007): Their research followed Baltimore students from first grade through age 22 and found that summer learning loss was responsible for about two-thirds of the ninth-grade reading achievement gap between low-income and higher-income students.
RAND Corporation (2011): This study found that students lose, on average, one month of learning over the summer, with the losses more substantial for low-income students.
These findings highlight the critical importance of addressing the summer dip through interventions such as summer tuition programs, reading initiatives, and other educational activities. By engaging in consistent learning over the summer, students can maintain and even enhance their academic skills, setting them up for success in the new school year and beyond.
Joining Sowing Seeds Tuition’s flexible Summer Elevate Programme with tuition and learning over the summer! This can be a great opportunity to help your child stay on track academically, learn outdoors and continue to grow and learn. By taking advantage of this time to get ahead, you can help your child bridge the learning gap, prevent the summer dip, and ensure your child is prepared for success in the upcoming school year. So why wait? Start tuition and learning today and book our Summer Boost Camp and Summer Elevate Programme to give your child the best chance to succeed!
