Summer Slide Concerns: Can We Keep Students Engaged and Learning?

“The consensus is that students stay the same or lose ground in the summer. Different studies have shown different amounts of learning loss–some say it’s a sizable percentage and some say it’s more of a pause in learning versus a real drop,” says research scientist Meghan Kuhfeld, PhD., Collaborative for Student Growth at NWEA in this study.

Editorial Director Laura Ascione explains in this eSchool News article that as classrooms close for summer, the specter of learning loss looms large, particularly following pandemic-related learning disruptions. Research suggests a potential decline in student achievement and test scores over the break, with math showing steeper drops than reading.

How significant is the summer slide? Studies offer varying degrees of impact, highlighting the need for further exploration. 

Both parents and districts look for strategies to mitigate learning loss. They explore activities like reading, museum visits, and incorporating math into everyday tasks.

Summer programs and partnerships with community organizations are also an option for continued learning and enrichment.

At Legends of Learning, we firmly believe curriculum-aligned game-based learning is a powerful tool for keeping students engaged and growing throughout the break. 

Beyond academics, immersive educational games help students develop essential skills like:

• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Collaboration
• Creativity
• Adaptability

All the ingredients for conquering the summer slide and fostering lifelong learning!

And you? What’s your favorite tool to beat the summer learning loss?