Summer Learning Loss Can Be Prevented

Dr. Michael A. Robinson

I just reviewed data on the percentage of fourth grade students passing their 2008-2009 state reading exams, according to NBC’s Education Nation website. Click here to see the Maryland data for yourself. Below are a few Maryland public school systems and their percentages of fourth grade students passing state reading:

Anne Arundel County (91%)
Baltimore City (78%)
Baltimore County (87%)
Calvert County (94%)
Howard County (93%)
Montgomery County (91%)
Prince George's County (77%)

As engaged parents, we have to address the low percentage of students performing well in the classroom and on state exams. This is especially important during the summer when academically centered activities give way to summer fun and frolic.

Former CEO for the National Summer Learning Association Ron Fairchild stated that 65% of the achievement gap can be attributed to summer learning loss. If this is true, we as parents cannot sit idly by and watch all the gains our children have made during the previous school year fall back. In a report released by the National Summer Learning Association, summer learning loss has been linked to low academic achievement and extremely high dropout rates.

The research brief cites the work of Dr. Karl Alexander and his colleagues which suggested that students from low economic backgrounds tend to experience a greater degree of academic drops in skills during the summer. Their research also discovered that students from economic disadvantaged backgrounds typically enter the school year at a lower level than typically middle class students, however, the researchers’ suggested that by the end of the year students from the low income families have progressed at or about an equal rate of those from a more affluent economic background. According the writers, their struggles really pick up during the summer when they experience the summer slide. The summer slide was not a phenomenon their more well off peers encountered.

Dr. Alexander when asked to explain why income levels impacted summer learning and more specifically why higher income students performed better upon return from summer breaks, he posited there were “some definite differences (Alexander, 2010). He further explained,

I don’t want to break it down into a checklist, but some differences seemed relevant. For example, better-off children were more likely to go to the library over the summertime and take books home. They were more likely to engage in a variety of enrichment experiences such as attending museums, concerts and field trips. They were more likely to take out-of-town vacations, be involved in organized sports activities, or take lessons, such as swimming or gymnastics lessons. Overall, they had a more expansive realm of experiences.

Many of the activities outlined by Dr. Alexander could be out of the reach of lower income families and to an extent a growing number of middle class families. Thus families have to create alternative learning opportunities to for their children. Scholars and school administrators agree there are ways this can be accomplished.

Parent Talk

Sunday, October 31, 2010

PARENT TALK

Parent Talk is a weekly radio show for families and members of the community who aspire to become an integral part of their children’s academic success. Parent Talk is hosted by Michael A. Robinson. Parent Talk is a live interactive broadcast, were listeners have the opportunity to call in and ask questions of the host, guest or to simply comment on the topic of the day. Parent Talk can be heard every other Sunday evening from 8:30pm to 9:30pm (EST).

Our guest Ms. Kim Armstrong will talk with us regarding gang violence and education. She will share how a personal tradgey has impacted her life and how she is now empowering other parents to confront violence.

Show Date: October 21, 2010

Show Time: 7:30pm-8:30pm

Call In Number: 1 (914) 803-4591

Website: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/educationaljournal

Two of Our Own Reach the 2009 NCAA Men's Final Four!

Prince George's County Public Schools congratulates two of its own, Dante Cunningham alumni of Potomac High School(left) and Maurice Sutton alumni of Largo High School (right) and the entire Villanova University Men's Basketball team for reaching the 2009 NCAA Men's Final Four!

The Department of Family and Community Outreach: 2009 Summer Programs

Summer enrichment programs for students grades 6th to 12th. Please review the information below.

FREE!! MIT announces its MITES Program, (Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science), a challenging 6 week summer program that prepares promising rising seniors for careers in engineering and science. If you are selected, all educational, housing, meals and activity costs are covered. You must, however, pay for your own transportation to and from MIT. To apply, go to http://mit.edu/mites/www

GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY Science & Engineering Apprenticeship program (summer) - This program places academically talented H.S. students (at least 16 yrs old, sophomores/ juniors) with interest in science & math in Dept. of Defense laboratories for an 8-wk period over the summer. This is an invaluable experience in the world of scientific research, with hands-on exposure to scientific & engineering practices not available in the HS environment. It is a paid apprenticeship ($2,000) and the students are assigned a scientist or engineer as their mentor. To apply online or get more information about the program: http://www.usaeop.com. Students must submit their transcript (minimum GPA 3.0) and teacher recommendation to the program director for consideration and daily transportation is the student's responsibility. Program runs from June 22 - August 14, 2009.

FREE!! Princeton University announces its Summer Journalism Program for low-income sophomores or juniors with at least a 3.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) who have an interest in journalism. The cost is free including travel costs to and from Princeton ! Apply now! Go to www.princeton.edu/sjp

FREE!! The National Center for Health Marketing's Global Health Odyssey Museum is pleased to offer the 2009 CDC Disease Detective Camp (DDC). DDC is an academic day camp for students who will be high school juniors and seniors during the 2009-2010 school year. Campers will take on the roles of disease detectives and learn how CDC safeguards the nation's health. The camp will be offered twice from June 22-26 and July 13-17. For more info and to apply to go www.cdc.gov/gcc/exhibit/camp.htm.

FREE!! The American Legion sponsors a week-long summer leadership program called Boys State. This year's program will be held at McDaniel College in Westminster , Maryland from June 21-27. If you are a junior interested in a leadership opportunity see your guidance counselor right away for more information.

The Leadership Center at Morehouse College presents the 2009 Coca-Cola Pre-College Leadership Program. There are 2 programs, one for male students completing their sophomore or junior year, and the other for male students completing their senior year. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale). The curriculum focuses on personal and interpersonal leadership skills. The program runs from June 20 to June 26. The cost is $400.00. To apply, go to www.morehouse.edu. Application access is listed under "Events at the Leadership Center "

NASA sponsors the National Space Club Scholars Program, a 6 week summer internship at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. It is open to students who will be 16 years old and have completed the 10th grade by June 2009, have demonstrated high academic success, and have an interest in space science or engineering as a career. Applicants must be U..S. citizens. Applications are available in the Career Center or online at www.education.gsfc.nasa.gov/pages/placement.html


University of Maryland , College Park : Women in Engineering, E2@UMD, July 12-18 or July 19-25; rising juniors and seniors. Go to www.wie.umd.edu/precollege or call 301-405-3283


University of Maryland Young Scholars Program targets rising juniors and seniors who have a strong academic record and a desire to excel to experience college life while earning three academic credits. 14 courses are offered for three weeks from July 12 – 31, 2009. Visit www.ysp.umd.edu/pr


CITY YEAR, WASHINGTON DC (Americorps) - Graduating seniors who are not20sure what they want to do after high school should consider applying for a paid community service position with City Year, Washington, DC., a group of 17-24 year olds committed to full-time service for ten months in the Washington, DC community. Benefits include: living stipend ($200 per week), health care coverage, free metro pass, and $4,725 educational scholarship. For more info: www.cityyear.org or email: cmurphy@cityyear.org/dc or call: 202-776-7780, Amanda Seligman. Recruitment open houses will be held once a month at their headquarters: 918 U Street, NW, 2nd floor, Washington


University of Maryland, College Park Summer Programs


Stepping Stones to Your Future Stepping Stones to Your Future is an annual summer engineering camp for rising 7th and 8th graders, offered by the University of Maryland, College Park. This one-week commuter camp is an excellent opportunity for young men and women who are interested in science and engineering to work with current University of Maryland students on a variety of fun and hands-on engineering activities.

Up, Up and Away Elementary school (rising 4-6 graders)June 29-July 2, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m)Middle School (rising 7-9 graders)July 6-July 17, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.Students will learn about the science of flight through exciting hands-on activities, a field trip and guest speakers. Topics discussed will include compression and expansion air, history of flight, flight patterns, and aerodynamic forces. Activities include constructing balsa wood gliders. The program will culminate with an academic fest where family and friends will be invited. Engineering Programs for 9th through 12th Grade Students

Terp Engineers This program is an engineering summer camp for students entering the 9 th or 10th grade. This one-week commuter camp is an opportunity for young men and women who are interested in science and engineering to work on a variety of challenging and hands-on engineering activities.

S.P.I.C.E. Camp is co-sponsored by the Center for Minorities in Science & Engineering and the Women in Engineering Program. This four-day commuter program is for young women who will be entering the 9th and 10th grade and would like to learn more about engineering. Students will be introduced to the world of engineering through projects, tours, and guest speakers. Each activity is intended to highlight the relevance of engineering in our daily life and how engineering can work to improve societal problems. All activities will be supervised by current engineering students.


Discovering Engineering This program is an engineering summer camp for high school students (rising juniors and seniors). Find out if engineering is for you. Meet faculty, tour one-of-a-kind labs and facilities, and learn about the various engineering disciplines offered at the University of Maryland. You will live on campus and participate in a variety of activities including laboratory work and demonstrations, lectures, discussions, computer instruction and team design projects.
ESTEEM (Engineering Science and Technology to Energize and Expand Young Minds) Offered by the Center for Minorities in Science and Engineering for rising High School Seniors, ESTEEM is a two-week research methodology seminar with lab demonstrations, lab tours, lab experiments, a computer/internet workshop, and a SAT Workshop. Students who participate in the program will have the opportunity to have an academic year-long independent research project with an engineering faculty member.


http://www.wie.umd.edu/precollege/e2umd.html E2@UMD is a one-week summer program for high school women (rising juniors or seniors) who are considering engineering as a possible major and career. You will live on campus for one week and explore the world of engineering through fun hands-on activities, laboratory experiments, informative workshops, team LEGO challenges and seminars with professional engineers.

SAT Strategies Workshop This program is open to all rising 10th, 11th and 12th grade students. The focus of this workshop will be on successful test-taking skills and reasoning strategies to help students maximize their score on the SAT. Topics will be presented relevant to the math, verbal and new writing sections of the test. The program provides 40 hours of instruction, a pre-test and a post-test, as well as periodic evaluations to gauge student progress throughout the workshop. Choose from two sessions that will be offered, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Textbooks, supplemental materials and snacks are included.

Young Scholars Program The Young Scholars Program is for high schools students (rising juniors and seniors). The program lets you experience college life first-hand by choosing one three-credit, college-level course. And you'll continue learning outside the classroom, with evening seminars on college admission and scholarship application strategies, field trips and social events. Three courses of interest to budding engineers are ENES100: Introduction to Engineering Design, ENES140: Discovering New Ventures-Foundations of Entrepreneurship, and ENES 104: Introduction to Materials and their Applications-What Are Things Made From?

WIE LEAD Academies The Women in Engineering Leadership Enhancement, Application and Design Academies provide students with the opportunity to spend 1-2 days learning and applying principles related to a particular engineering discipline found at the University of Maryland.