Summer Slide: Parents and Teachers Voice Concerns

As summer approaches, a pressing concern looms over parents and educators alike: the "summer slide." This school-free period, when students can experience a decline in academic skills, has far-reaching consequences for both families and classrooms. So, we recently studied the perspectives of 800 American parents and 200 teachers to find out the prevalence, impact, and potential solutions to this annual issue.

This article explores our findings about the summer slide, from parental awareness and investment in summer programs to teachers' strategies for avoiding learning loss. Here, we'll examine how both groups perceive the issue, the measures they're taking to address it, and the role that educational technology can play in maintaining academic momentum. See below as we unpack these insights and offer practical approaches to keeping summer break from becoming a break from learning.

Key Takeaways

• Over 50% of parents report their children experiencing "summer slide" in the past.
• Parents report that their child is not engaged in structured activities for over 50% of the summer.
• On average parents are spending $250 to keep their children engaged in a summer program.
• Teachers report that, on average, 45% of their students show noticeable summer learning loss after the break.
• Over 80% of teachers must reteach previous material, with 67% saying it disrupts their planned lessons.
• 3 in 4 teachers recommend an online education platform for summer learning.

Parents' Perspectives: Understanding and Combating Summer Slide

• 30% of parents are unfamiliar with the term "summer slide".
• 6% of parents thought they were familiar with the term "summer slide" but incorrectly defined it.
• Over 50% of parents report their children experiencing "summer slide" in the past.
• 14% are extremely worried their child will experience “summer slide”
• 1 in 4 parents have enrolled their child in a summer program to prevent “summer slide”
• On average parents are spending $250 to keep their children engaged in a summer program.
• Parents report that their child is not engaged in structured activities for over 50% of the summer.
• Nearly 60% of parents express interest in using an online education platform to prevent summer learning loss

The most popular summer programs:

◦ Education program - 55%

◦ Sports program - 28%

◦ Art and music program - 28%

◦ Science and tech program - 25%

◦ Online education games - 13%

The main reasons parents enroll their children in these programs:

◦ To keep them engaged - 35%

◦ To prevent summer slide - 19%

◦ Special interest or talent in the area - 19%

◦ For social development - 19%

◦ Availability and convenience - 7%

Teacher Insights: The Classroom Impact of Summer Learning Loss

• 27% of teachers are extremely worried about their students experiencing “summer slide”
• Teachers report that, on average, 45% of their students show noticeable summer learning loss after the break.
• Over 80% of teachers must reteach previous material, with 67% saying it disrupts their planned lessons.
• 3 in 4 teachers recommend an online education platform for summer learning.

Most effective strategies for preventing “summer slide” according to teachers:

◦ Daily reading activities - 51%

◦ Enroll in educational summer programs  - 40%

◦ Scheduled visits to museums, libraries, or other educational sites  - 32%

◦ Regular math practice - 28%

◦ Physical activities and sports - 23%

Methodology

For this study, we surveyed 800 American parents and 200 teachers to explore their children’s experience with “summer slide”. Among parents, the average age was 41. 64% of respondents were women and 36% were male. Among teachers, the average age was 40. 55% of respondents were women, 44% were male, and 1% was non-binary.

About Prodigy Education

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Fair Use Statement

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