School is over for the 2006-2007 school year. That doesn't mean learning had to end the day school was out for the summer, and summer learning loss is something teachers want to educate parents about.

Summer learning loss is the decrease in retained knowledge that a student has before summer break upon returning the following school year. And Dr. Chris Belcher, superintendent of the Kearney School District, said it was a bigger problem than many thought.

“We know that when you get away from a skill it erodes,” Belcher said. “Research shows that middle- to lower-income students, in particular, are at risk to losing four-tenths of school year's growth over the summer.”

And although four-tenths may not seem like that drastic of a figure, when three summers are added together, it is equivalent to a student being a grade year behind academically.

Connie Covell, a third-grade teacher from Hawthorne Elementary School, said that when kids were not involved in some sort of summer learning activity, they could fall behind their own potential.

“Throughout the year we give reading assessments, one being within the first month of school,” Covell said. “I find that students who keep their minds active can raise their reading levels and their attention span is higher.”

Covell also said that learning programs or enrichment opportunities helped students excel.

“It doesn't have to be summer school, just keep them active,” Covell said. “Students who practice their skills over the summer can have more of an advantage over their peers.”

Belcher said he was a strong promoter of programs such as summer school because it kept students caught up instead of them playing catch-up in the fall.

“Summer loss is a big concern,” Belcher said. “More students should attend activities like summer school. We believe in it so much that we provide transportation as a convenience to the parents.”

Belcher said the summer school program also was a creative way to offer solutions to summer loss without implementing year-round classes. The residents of Kearney have voiced their concerns about the year-round schooling concept because they think the summer is a needed break for both the staff and the students.

“We're trying to be responsive to the community,” Belcher said. “A lot of schools are going to full years, but we know that our community still wants to keep the summers off.”

Belcher said students could attend summer school and still have a full six weeks off before they returned to class in the fall.

“Summer school ends June 29,” Belcher said. “After it is over, students still will have six weeks to enjoy their summer break, and if families have vacations planned during summer school, we are flexible.”

Belcher also offered other alternatives to attending summer school. He suggested families going on a vacation together make the trip a learning experience.

“Parents can help by keeping their kids active,” Belcher said. “When planning a trip, map out the route together, figure gas mileage, calculate the tips at restaurants.”

Writing is one of the first skills to erode while on a summer break. Belcher also suggested students keep a journal of their vacations or send post cards to their friends so their writing skills don't get rusty.

“Families can also plan educational vacations to places like Civil War museums,” Belcher said. “Afterwards you can discuss with your kids what they learned or liked the best.”

Other programs, such as the Kearney library's summer reading program, also aim to keep students' minds sharp.

“We always like to recognize the library for their work in engaging students,” Belcher said. “Our goal is to have the students as well prepared to return to class in the fall as they can be.”

Reporter Carrie Alexander can be reached at 628-6010 or carriealexander@npgco.com.

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