Summer Learning in Children

This research study by Reading is Fundamental (RIF) set out to test and confirm the efficacy of a new model to reduce summer learning loss in children from economically disadvantaged communities. Researchers found that, on average, 57% of students improved their reading proficiency, instead of 80% of children showing loss. Nearly half of students in third grade — a critical grade for literacy skill building — increased reading proficiency. As part of the study, RIF distributed over 760,000 books to 33,000 children from 173 schools across 16 states. The program included science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) themed books for classrooms and media centers, as well as books for children to select and keep for themselves. RIF also provided training for teachers on how to use the classroom books to support their lessons, gave special resources to parents to help them support their children at home, and every school was given funds to use for further enrichment.

Reading Is Fundamental (2015). Read for success: Combating the summer learning slide in America. Washington, D.C.: Reading is Fundamental. http://www.readingrockets.org/research-by-topic/read-success-combating-summer-learning-slide-america