The Brightside: Summer programs offset potential learning loss over the holidays

Children, especially from low-income famillies, may experience learning loss if they are not participating in some form of educational activity like summer camp. Multiple studies done over the past decade suggest students lose a minimum of two months of math and reading skills every summer. 

Programs like Horizons at UR's Warner School of Education engage K-8 Rochester City School District students over the summer in activities like swimming; along with daily lessons in math and reading. The Horizons program allows for each new kindergarten class to attend for a total of nine summers.

Once students transition to 9th grade they are invited to return to the program as Teacher’s Assistants. TA’s like Nyla Villegas-Fuller, who attended the program three years ago, found it beneficial. The program made it easier to keep up with academics during the school year, said Nyla.

"It helped me continue on growing my knowledge," she said.

Summer learning involvement also has the potential to expand students’ interests.

This was the case with AnnMarie Casillas, another Teacher’s Assistant in the Horizons at Warner program. Prior to becoming a TA, she had attended the program since Kindergarten.

“I’m a clarinetist. One of the good things about this program is that one of our teachers is a guitar player. One of the things that helped me out when I was attending was that I was able to take piano classes." said AnnMarie. "...I got to learn different instruments which got me interested in my own instrument."

She is currently a student at the Eastman School of Music.

Students who fall behind over the summer are less likely to graduate from high school or go on to college.

@ketsiamari

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