Is Summer School Beneficial?
We’ve all the seen the classic 1980s teen films where the main character is consistently threatened with summer school and, in the end, narrowly avoids it. Viewed as a petrifying scenario back then, summer school is no longer something to dread. According to recent studies, in fact, students who don’t attend some type of summer enrichment program may be the ones missing out.
Summer learning loss, as experts label it, is real. According to an article on Parenting.com, over the summer, the typical child loses two months’ worth of the math skills he gained during the school year because of a lack of practice, and lower-income kids also fall behind in reading. The reasoning behind this is that most math concepts, reading and comprehension are more conceptually based. These areas, without practice, are more susceptible to being forgotten.
According to a SERVE policy brief on education, summer school programs benefit in a multitude of ways. First, summer learning assists the student in meeting minimum competency requirements for his grade level. Second, it prevents regression for students with learning disabilities. Third, high schools offer flexible course scheduling so students can work toward their college and GPA goals for advanced programs. Summer school also can curb delinquent behavior in lower-income students who may not have the opportunity otherwise to attend a summer enrichment program.
“I am in the Parkville School District, and they encourage everyone to attend the summer school program. They do field trips and fun activities,” Parkville mom Rhonda Miller says. “It’s not just recreation either. My oldest will take P.E. in summer school so that he can select another more important class for credits during the school year.”
Whether your child has to go or simply wants to, here are a few tips to ensure a smooth slide into summer academics.
Talk it out. I refer to communication constantly when doling out advice, because it’s one of the simplest but most effective ways of bridging gaps in tough situations. There’s a chance that your children may be unhappy about attending summer school if they’ve been recommended for it. They may feel singled out by their teachers, left behind by their peers, frustrated with themselves and unsure of their learning capabilities. It’s up to us as parents to help them sort through their emotions and address them.
Budget appropriately. Prices for summer school classes range between $75 and $200 per class each week. Virtual courses vary per credit, but typically only have a one-time fee versus a weekly one. You also may run into additional fees for textbooks, lunch and transportation.
- Having your child bring his lunch each day will significantly reduce food costs.
- If your child has friends also attending summer school, you could work out rotating carpool schedules with other parents to save on transportation costs.
Show enthusiasm. Your child initially may view summer school as more of a chore than a fun opportunity. Starting with the first day, kick off the summer session with a smile. Make a special “first day” breakfast like you might during the regular school year. Pack a few sweet or encouraging notes in their lunchboxes. Ask them at night what the best parts of their day were. Kids take note of our emotions. If we’re feeling apprehensive or disappointed about the financial or scheduling ramifications of summer school, our kids will pick up on that and begin to feel that way too.
Summer school is no longer a terrifying prospect or an end to summer fun. Plentiful opportunities abound to give youngsters a great education with a side of excitement and discovery. With a little encouragement, your kids will thrive and be better prepared for the start of a new school year. Perhaps they’ll even find it was better than they ever could have expected!
Jennifer Bosse is a former KC mom who now lives in Charleston, SC, with her husband and two sons. She also blogs at Tales of a Southern Sweetheart.