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Looking for the latest statistics and facts on the topic of summer learning loss?
My updated guide for 2024 has everything you need, and more.
Feel free to use the jump links below to go to the section that interests you the most.
You can also use this jump link to quickly jump to the KEY STATS section.
Also, all the references and resources I used in crafting my guide are listed at the bottom of the page.
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Jump here: Key Summer Learning Loss Statistics, Facts and Trends for This Year| Summer Learning Loss Statistics, Facts and Trends for This Year (Detailed Info)
Table of Contents
Key Summer Slide and Learning Loss Statistics, Facts and Trends for This Year
Key Summer Slide and Learning Loss Statistics, Facts and Trends for 2024
- 70-78% of students experience a decline in math skills over the summer across elementary grades. (Source)
- 84% of students demonstrate summer slide in math between 5th and 6th grades, the largest drop observed. (Source)
- The summer slide between 5th and 6th grades are consistently the largest, but the drops in learning between other grades hover on average around 74%. (Source)
- By 5th grade, students affected by summer learning loss can lag behind their peers by 2.5 to 3 years. (Source)
- More than two-thirds of the reading achievement gap in 9th grade can be traced back to cumulative summer learning loss during elementary years. (Source)
- Students may lose up to two months of reading proficiency over the summer. (Source)
- Over half of the reading achievement gap is attributable to unequal access to summer learning opportunities. (Source)
- Participants in summer learning programs often show gains in reading skills equivalent to an additional month of school. (Source)
- Summer learning programs are linked to higher graduation rates and improved self-esteem among students. (Source)
- Students from low-income families are especially vulnerable to summer learning loss due to lack of access to educational resources. (Source)
- Students who read over the summer break generally perform better in reading assessments upon returning to school. (Source)
Summer Learning Loss Statistics, Facts and Trends for This Year (Detailed Info)
Do Math Skill Decline Over Summer for Elementary Students?
70-78% of elementary students experience a decline in math skills over the summer across elementary grades. A huge 84% of students demonstrate summer slide in math between 5th and 6th grades.
The summer slide between 5th and 6th grades is the largest recorded, but the drops in learning between different grades hover on average around 74%.
Also worth noting is that math skills drop during summer regardless of whether some student is predominantly mathematical learner or not.
Can Summer Learning Loss Cause Students to Lag Behind Their Peers? By How Much?
By 5th grade, students affected by summer learning loss can lag behind their peers by 2.5 to 3 years.Â
Up to 3 years of missed development at precarious times for students is both a huge waste and a huge opportunity if that learning drop can be prevented or mitigated.
One solution to this is introducing smaller timed reading sessions as a form of microlearning where children are just practicing to read, remembering old things they learned and acquiring new knowledge while still having a very active lifestyle during their summer vacation.
How Much of the 9th Grade Reading Achievement Gap Can Be Traced Back to Summer Learning Loss in Elementary Years?
More than two-thirds of the reading achievement gap in 9th grade can be traced back to cumulative summer learning loss during elementary years.
And another study (which I link in the footer) showed that elementary students may lose up to two months of reading proficiency over the summer.
And that over half of the reading achievement gap is attributable to unequal access to summer reading and learning opportunities.
So, while it’s true children can learn with movement (called “kinesthetic learning“) it obviously can’t replace standardized learning by reading, writing and practicing…
How Much Gain in Reading Skills Do Participants in Summer Learning Programs Often Show?
On the other hand, participants in summer learning programs often show gains in reading skills equivalent to an additional month of school. This stat shows the power of summer learning programs when it comes to preventing summer slide.
But it also shows how the gap between students is created. One student forgets during the summer while other acquires new knowledge and skills. When they get back to start a new school year the former has a huge and often unbeatable advantage over the latter.
Especially if the former is a member of Gen Alpha (Gen Alpha don’t like to read, period).
Note: my point is proven by another recent study (which I reference in the footer of the page). That study showed students who read over the summer break generally perform better in reading assessments upon returning to school.
What Positive Outcomes Are Linked to Summer Learning Programs?
Summer learning programs are linked to higher graduation rates and improved self-esteem among students.
Improved self esteem is especially valuable for students from low-income families because usually these struggle with lack of self esteem the most. Plus, students from impoverished backgrounds also lack full access to educational resources.
ADD INTERNAL LINKS KINESTHETIC and MICROLEARNOG
Summer Slide and Learning Loss Statistics, Facts and Trends (FAQ)
What is Summer Slide in Education (Definition and Meaning)?
Summer slide education definition: the summer slide, also known as summer learning loss or the summer setback, is the loss of academic skills and knowledge that students experience during summer break.
How to Avoid Summer Slide in Schoolchildren?
To avoid summer slide in children you should encourage regular reading, incorporate math into everyday activities, participate in summer reading programs, visit educational places like museums, and actively engage in learning opportunities during vacation through exploration and discussion.
Some practical ways for schoolchildren to avoid summer slide are:
- Practice math in the kitchen. Measure ingredients, count them, and calculate nutrient intake.
- Regular reading. Summer reading lists can sharpen literacy skills.
- Encourage reflection. Provide specific feedback and encourage kids to reflect on their experiences.
- Visit museums and historical sites. These can be fun and low cost.
- Play games. Games like chess can be fun and help kids learn.
Note: playing video games is also a way to engage children’s minds and keep them entertained at the same time. The best video games are fun, have lots of interactive learning elements, and implement lots of cool visuals aids that turn learning into play.
Do Kids Who Read Over Summer Beat Summer Slide?
Yes, kids who read over summer beat summer slide.
In fact, according to this source:
“Studies show that kids from low-income families who have access to books over the summer not only beat the summer slide, but make even greater gains than kids from wealthy and middle-class families”.
Summer Slide and Learning Loss Statistics, Facts and Trends for This Year (Conclusion)
My updated guide for 2024 lists the best and latest statistics, facts and trends about summer learning loss and how to best mitigate it.
I hope you enjoyed it because the guide is now over.
During my research, I consulted these resources below:
References:
- Behind the Slide: Key Stats on Summer Learning Loss- https://www.learner.com/blog/summer-slide-statistics
- Summer learning loss: What we know and what we’re learning- https://www.nwea.org/blog/2024/summer-learning-loss-what-we-know-what-were-learning/
- Is summer learning loss real, and does it widen test score gaps by family income?- https://www.brookings.edu/articles/is-summer-learning-loss-real-and-does-it-widen-test-score-gaps-by-family-income/
- Helping Prevent Children From Experiencing “Summer Slide”- https://info.scholarschoice.ca/blog/helping-prevent-children-from-experiencing-summer-slide
- Turning Summer Learning Loss into Learning Gains- https://nceatalk.org/2023/02/turning-summer-learning-loss-into-learning-gains/
- 7 Ways to Prevent Summer Learning Loss- https://factsmgt.com/blog/7-ways-to-prevent-summer-learning-loss/
- 3 Summer Learning Loss Statistics Worth Knowing- https://www.horizoneducationcenters.org/blog/summer-learning-loss-statistics
- Surprising New Evidence on Summer Learning Loss- https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1226152
- Turn Summer Learning Loss into Opportunities for Your Kids- https://tessais.org/summer-learning-loss-to-learning-opportunities/
- Is Summer Slide Real? (Plus Free Toolkit To Fight Summer Learning Loss)- https://www.weareteachers.com/summer-slide/
- School’s Out. Should You Worry about the ‘Summer Slide’?- https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/schools-out-should-you-worry-about-the-summer-slide/
- Summer Learning Loss Statistics: What Kids Can Lose This Summer- https://www.kumon.com/resources/canadian_english/what-could-your-kids-gain-or-lose-summer/
- Summer learning loss: What is it, and what can we do about it?- https://www.brookings.edu/articles/summer-learning-loss-what-is-it-and-what-can-we-do-about-it/
- Top Tips for Preventing Summer Learning Loss (+ Expert Insight)- https://www.brookings.edu/articles/summer-learning-loss-what-is-it-and-what-can-we-do-about-it/
Nikola Roza
Nikola Roza is a blogger behind Nikola Roza- SEO for the Poor and Determined. He writes for bloggers who don't have huge marketing budget but still want to succeed. Nikola is passionate about precious metals IRAs and how to invest in gold and silver for a safer financial future. Learn about Nikola here.