When schools break for summer millions of students are disengaged from learning and experience significant learning loss.
In math, they may lose as many as three months’ worth of learning, which means when they come back to school in late August or early September, they are back to March in terms of their knowledge base.
Studies suggest students experience the most learning loss in math, but losses in reading acumen are also significant — as many as two months unless students are engaged in supplemental education. Many are enrolled in summer school or other programs, but many of these programs are pricey, and those from the lowest-income families don’t have access
In some families, older children are charged with minding their younger siblings, preventing them from participating in summer programs.
The attack on the Department of Education (DOE) and this president’s indifference to education affected some of the programs that the DOE has funded in the past.
The so-called “Big Beautiful” (let’s just call it the Big Ugly) eliminates after-school and summer learning, such as the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which serves 1.4 million children. Black students are especially vulnerable to learning loss. They have less access to summer enrichment programs because of cost, transportation issues and availability
Parents can’t depend on the government to prevent learning loss. While one in seven students participated in summer enrichment programs last year (2024), there is significant unmet need.
Many school districts will have summer school programs, as well as recreation centers and programs developed by civic organizations.
Parents, talk to a teacher, get on the internet and find a program for your child.
There aren’t enough opportunities for every child who needs one, but parents can put programs together for children. Young people should be exposed to museums, libraries, theater, concerts and reading opportunities.
Can’t afford it? Why not come together with other parents to hire a teen or young adult to work with a group of young people one or two days a week? Parents, read with your children and allow them to read to you.
Black parents should also expose their young people to water safety. There are reasons why many Black people don’t swim, many of them historical. White people closed pools (drained them or cemented them over) to prevent Black people from using them.
Nearly two-thirds of Black children cannot swim, compared to 40% of white children. Black children ages 5-9 were 2.6 times more likely to drown than white children. Those 10-14 were 3.6 times more likely to drown. In pools, Black children were 7.6 times more likely to drown than white children.
We must take learning loss seriously, and the entire community must stand in the gap when government education programs drop the ball.
The Big Ugly Bill means fewer supplemental education activities will be funded. But we know how to educate young people.
The Children’s Defense Fund’s Freedom Schools have operated for decades in 26 states, including Missouri and the St. Louis area.
They are combating learning loss, and we all have a responsibility to do the same. Find a program or start one. Learning loss has long-term implications for our community.
Julianne Malveaux, a former college president, is an economist, author and commentator based in Washington, D.C.