Summer Learning Loss: What We Know and What We’re Learning

"Summer learning loss," often called the "summer slide," refers to the academic regression many students experience during summer breaks. Although widely recognized, significant gaps in research demand a deeper investigation into this phenomenon.

Foundational studies, including a 1996 meta-analysis based on data from the 1970s and 1980s, highlighted concerning trends. These studies revealed that while lower-income students often experience declines in reading skills over the summer, middle-class students tend to make gains. This pattern has fueled the belief that summer contributes to academic inequity. However, while many cite that students lose 2-3 months of reading proficiency during summer, contemporary research confirms this is scarce.

Recent studies have focused predominantly on younger students (K-2), yielding mixed results. For example, some findings show widening socioeconomic achievement gaps in specific subjects but only sometimes across all grades. Research on older students is limited, mainly due to the need for summer-specific data from standardized state assessments administered only in spring.

Fresh Insights with MAP Growth Assessments 

The MAP Growth assessment offers a more precise understanding of summer learning loss. Administered in fall, winter, and spring, MAP Growth data allows researchers to isolate summer trends and examine longitudinal impacts. With nearly 20% of K-12 U.S. students participating annually, this tool provides a comprehensive view, including trends among older students and across racial and economic groups.

Analysis of MAP Growth data confirms that summer learning loss persists from grades 3-8 in math and reading. Losses also accelerate with age. Following third grade, students lose approximately 20% of their school-year reading gains and 27% in math. By the summer after seventh grade, these losses climb to 36% in reading and 50% in math.

Graphs from the 2015 NWEA RIT Scale Norms Study illustrate this trend. While average summer losses in RIT points remain consistent (around 3-5 points), the proportional loss compared to school-year gains increases with age. This concerning trend suggests summer learning loss becomes more pronounced as students progress through school.

Future Directions

This research highlights the need to address summer learning loss and understand its broader impacts. Upcoming analyses will explore whether summer exacerbates achievement gaps, particularly among minority students and those in high-poverty schools. We aim to develop strategies to mitigate these disparities by leveraging robust data. Further research will continue to examine how summer learning loss impacts student achievement and equity, aiming to provide actionable insights for educators and policymakers.