How Teachers Are Acting Now to Combat Summer Slide

With the end of the school year approaching, teachers are concerned about the impending summer slide. Summer slide refers to the decline in reading and math skills during an extended time out of school. Many teachers are worried about how school closures from COVID-19 will further exacerbate students’ learning loss over summer vacation. News-O-Matic recently released the “Preparing for the ‘COVID-19 Slide’” report, based on a survey that asked 271 teachers how they are preparing to combat summer slide. Most teachers are concerned about summer slide, but they also know what resources they need to keep students learning.

MOST TEACHERS ARE WORRIED ABOUT SUMMER SLIDE

Two-thirds of survey respondents were “very concerned” or “extremely concerned” about the effects of the COVID-19 summer slide on their students’ reading abilities. A recent report from NWEA, a not-for-profit testing organization, found that coronavirus-related learning loss could be much steeper than the usual summer slide. NWEA estimates that this year, students could lose up to 30% of literacy and 50% of math gains.

NONFICTION RESOURCES WOULD BE MOST HELPFUL TO STOP SUMMER SLIDE

Respondents also rated the helpfulness of five resources in combating the summer slide, on a scale of 1 to 5. The survey revealed that “age-appropriate nonfiction reading” is the most helpful resource. “Leveled texts for students to read over the summer,” another useful resource, emphasizes the need for access to reading materials for differentiated instruction.

TEACHERS BELIEVE STUDENTS SHOULD READ THE NEWS OVER THE SUMMER

One of the best resources for daily nonfiction reading is the news. More than half of teachers in the survey noted that it’s “very important” or “extremely important” for students to read the news every day, including over the summer. News-O-Matic publishes five news stories every weekday, including over the summer, to help students maintain a regular reading routine. Our news stories further develop essential background knowledge.

DISTANCE LEARNING AS A SOLUTION

The changes wrought by COVID-19 have increased teachers’ concerns about learning loss. However, the transition to distance learning could help teachers prevent summer slide. According to the survey, 48% of teacher respondents will maintain access to distance learning resources during summer vacation. Teachers and students are growing more accustomed to digital education. Now is an ideal time to develop learning (and reading!) habits that students will use all year long. To that end, News-O-Matic is offering free summer access to schools that purchase a subscription before June 30, 2020. Request a quote now.