Why Summer Matters There is no other time of year when inequalities are greater in the United States than during the summer months.
Why Summer Matters In the summer, 43 million kids (3 out of 4) do not have access to critical summer learning programs.
The Achievement Gap More than 75% of the achievement gap between lower- and higher-income youth can be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities.
The Achievement Gap
1st Low-income students lose an average of more than two months in reading achievement in summer.
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
By the end of fifth grade, disadvantaged children are nearly 3 GRADE EQUIVALENTS BEHIND their more affluent peers in reading.
Studies show 6-week summer learning programs can produce statistically significant gains in reading performance.
6
Key Strategies for Success •
Community-wide messaging to raise awareness about the importance of summer learning; to encourage parents, caregivers and community leaders to take advantage of existing programs and services; and to support families in reading to and with children over the summer months
•
Practices, programs, and policies that expand access to books and integrate literacy skills development in order to help children continue reading and learning over the summer months
•
Expanding access to summer meals, physical activity, and health and nutrition information in a variety of settings and programs over the summer months
•
Cross-sector coordination and partnerships around data sharing, collection and analysis that result in joint commitment and accountability for making measurable progress on student outcomes
10
Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Response:
SUMMER BRAIN GAIN
Mission To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
12
Two Approaches, Two Goals
9 6 4
Marzano’s High Yield Strategies; proven to result in percentile gains on standardized tests.
Weeks of integrated themed content allowing youth to make real-world connections while developing 21st Century skills.
Boys & Girls Club of America projectbased Learning Practices (Engage, Express, Evaluate, Exhibit) supported by Common Core aligned learning modules.
13
3 HRS Reading Math 21st Century Skills
1.5 HRS Vocabulary Reading Comprehension
Summer Brain Gain Outcomes Significant gains in reading skills for 5th and 8th graders READING
MATH
Significant gains in math skills for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders
Significant positive growth for 6th grade in 21st Century skills
14
Elementary
15
Summer Brain Gain The Power of Collaboration Hooray for Heroes! One Bright Idea After Another Making Global Connections Fit 4 Life Race to the Future
Summer Brain Gain: READ! Dino Fantastic Fun! Magnificent Mammals Are We! Animal Babies! Wild Cats Our Fine Feathered Friends Plenty of Precarious Pets
Middle
16
Summer Brain Gain Under the Sea Eww, Gross! Bio Motion DIT – Do-It-Together Bug Off! Dino Detectives
Summer Brain Gain: READ! The House on Mango Street Freak the Mighty American Born Chinese Number the Stars Screaming at the Ump Ties That Bind
High
17
Summer Brain Gain S.T.E.M. Effective Decision Making Building Positive Relationships Teen Things The ABCs to College Degrees Employability Skills
Summer Brain Gain: READ! Character Education Positive Law Enforcement Interaction Social Media Shakedown
Summer Brain Gain Bonus STEM! Elementary Our Solar System Life on the International Space Station
Middle Space Community Space Technology and the Innovators
High Space Radiation Space Artists
18
A Week in the Life of Summer Brain Gain Monday: discuss similarities and differences between a book and a film Tuesday: construct three questions they would like answered about heroes Wednesday: explain how to solve a number pattern and write speeches about their heroes Thursday: express their heroic characteristics by designing their own costumes Friday: express one interesting fact about their heroes in the Hero costume fashion show
