Summer Brain Drain

Summer learning has long been a primary strategy in efforts to advance early school success.

With research showing that children in low-income families can fall 2.5–3 years behind by fifth grade, The Campaign for Grade Level Reading has worked together to support local communities in developing high-quality, comprehensive summer learning systems and programs. 

Dozens of studies now confirm the positive benefits derived from these programs. In fact, CGLR community coalitions across the country have identified effective strategies that leverage summer learning as a part of efforts to move the needle on grade-level reading achievement. 

This year, with the disruption caused by the Covid-19 crisis it is more important than ever to leverage the best practices of summer learning to keep kids engaged and on track after the extended school closures and the unpredictable plans for the return to school this fall. 

Responding to this challenge, programs are shifting quickly to innovate virtual and physically distanced summer learning opportunities while providing tools and resources for parents to use with their children at home.