RAND Education Experts Available to Discuss 'Summer Learning Day,' June 21

In the 2011 study "Making Summer Count: How Summer Programs Can Boost Children's Learning," RAND researchers Catherine Augustine and Jennifer Sloan McCombs found that students suffer a significant loss of knowledge and educational skills during the summer months.

Research shows that summer learning loss is cumulative, that students from low-income families suffer most, and that taking time off from studies during the summer months leads to the growing achievement gap between low-income and higher-income students.

The RAND study confirms that students who attend summer programs can disrupt the educational loss and perform better than peers who do not attend the same programs.

To raise awareness of this growing educational problem, the National Summer Learning Association has designated Thursday, June 21, as "Summer Learning Day."

Summer Learning Day is supported by elected officials and policymakers, public agencies, nonprofit organizations, schools, universities, museums, libraries and summer camps across the country.