Vernon School Readiness Council Targeting Summer Learning Loss

So how many times has a teacher assigned an essay on "what I did on my summer vacation," to students on the the first day of class?

The Vernon School Readiness Council hopes the answer includes reading and staying sharp. 

The council is currently working with the Board of Education to address the issue of what it calls "summer learning Loss." The council defines that as, "the loss in academic skills and knowledge over the course of summer vacation."

According to the council, a common finding across numerous studies is that, on average, students score lower on standardized tests at the end of the summer than they do at the beginning of summer on the same test. Summer learning loss can negatively impact grade-level reading, which is a key predictor of school success, according to the council.

The council said that, according to research,  children who are not at grade level reading by the third grade have a much lower chance of doing well in school.

The council said it has a three-tiered goal to combat summer learning loss:

• Put put books in to the hands of all children:  Children who continue to read, write, and talk throughout the summer have a much better chance of retaining what they have learned during the school year, the council said.  The Council will conduct a book drive so that books can be distributed throughout town in places where families and children are likely to be. A Bookmobile, filled with a large variety of books for a wide range of ages, will travel to different neighborhoods and locations around town each week so children may borrow books to read. The Council is also encouraging  families to take advantage of all of the programs offered at the Rockville Public Library. A schedule of summer activities is available at the library and on its Web site. www.rockvillepubliclibrary.org.

• Enhance children’s experiences to strengthen vocabulary development and background knowledge. The Council wants to do this by making it easy for parents to find summer learning opportunities for their children. A comprehensive list of free and fee based local summer programs has been created by the Council and can be viewed at www.1Vernon.org.

• Increase adult awareness of the importance of literacy. Parents and adult caregivers must understand how urgent it is for children to participate in learning activities, including reading, throughout the summer to retain their reading level and other academic skills, according to the council. Ultimately, it is the parent and caregivers who provide the means for children to participate in reading and other learning activities. The Council is providing information to local summer program providers on how to facilitate reading experiences in their programs.  The information includes how to help children choose an age appropriate book, and how to facilitate the reading and discussion that enhances learning.