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Every fall, elementary schools across the US face the same frustrating pattern. Students return from summer break noticeably “rusty” or behind, especially in math. Solid skills in May seem to have disappeared by August or September. Teachers spend weeks reteaching content as they try to help students overcome this common regression, otherwise known as the summer slide or summer learning loss.
In fact, students in grades 1-8 can lose up to 34% of what they learned the prior school year during summer break. For school leaders, this isn’t just a seasonal challenge – it can be a key contributor to declining school performance and a widening achievement gap in education.
In this article, we’re exploring what the summer slide is, how it affects learning and equity, and which proactive summer learning strategies and programs can help your students stay on track. With the right approach, summer can become a time for academic growth and confidence-building.
The summer slide, or summer learning loss, is the loss of academic skills (especially in math) that occurs when students disengage from structured learning over summer break. One 2020 study, published in the American Educational Research Journal, tracked nearly 18 million US students from grades 1 to 6 and found that more than half (52%) of them experienced learning losses during each of the five consecutive summers.
We know that a significant number of students experience the slide, but just how big are their learning losses?
According to the same 2020 study published in the American Educational Research Journal, the average student lost between 25-34% of their school-year math progress during the following summer. This is thought to be about two to three months’ worth of skills.
Additionally, between 70-78% of elementary students experience the summer slide in math each year, highlighting a prevalent problem.
The average student was found to lose between 17-28% of school-year gains in literacy during the following summer. This is one to two months’ worth of skills.
Unfortunately, the summer slide affects disadvantaged students the most, as they are less likely to have access to summer enrichment opportunities. Without these structured activities, it’s hard to stay engaged in any learning.
According to the National Summer Learning Association, by 5th grade, summer learning loss can leave low-income students two-and-a-half to three years behind their peers. One study found that by 9th grade, summer learning loss during elementary school accounts for two-thirds of the achievement gap in reading between low-income students and their middle-income peers.
Similarly, students with disabilities may lose access to essential learning supports and services during summer break. This makes it nearly impossible to avoid setbacks – widening the achievement gap in education even further.
For students who fall behind, the learning loss can compound and worsen each subsequent year. A study by the RAND Corporation reported that by the end of elementary school, students who consistently experience summer learning loss can be nearly three years behind their peers who continue to learn during the summer.
Over multiple years, the recurring summer slide setbacks can snowball into long-term academic struggles, lower GPAs, and diminished opportunities for higher education or career advancement.
The impact doesn’t stop at the individual level; the summer slide affects the whole school. Nine in ten teachers spend at least three weeks reteaching material at the start of the school year instead of moving forward with grade-level instruction. This delay affects curriculum pacing, as well as overall school performance and progress toward district benchmarks.
All things considered, summer learning loss goes beyond just being “rusty” at the start of the school year. It disrupts student growth year after year, deepens achievement gaps in education, and places an added burden on schools striving to keep every learner on track.
Related Reading: Pandemic Learning Loss: A Review for 2025
Summer learning loss is a well-documented issue, and several social, environmental, and economic factors contribute to students falling behind.
The regular school year schedule helps students form habits. They develop routines to catch their bus in the morning, go to math class at 10 am, pack their gym clothes on Tuesdays, do their homework before dinner, etc.
However, without a structured schedule and dedicated learning environment during the summer, it is difficult to maintain a routine or allocate time toward learning. It’s easy to fall behind and set academics aside when every day is a “vacation.”
Many parents and guardians may not be aware of the consequences associated with the summer slide. In fact, only 48% of parents with children ages 6-17 have heard of the summer slide. As a result, they allow their children to engage in more leisurely activities and screen time, rather than educational activities.
But simple tasks can make a big difference. Activities like reading together, watching documentaries, or practicing math in everyday life can all encourage continued learning.
Related Reading: 7 Ways to Practice Math Over the Summer
Research has found that by age 12, children from higher-income families have experienced 6,000 more hours of out-of-school learning than their lower-income peers. This learning time includes activities such as tutoring, music lessons, traveling, library visits, and summer learning programs.
This disparity in enrichment activities is known as the “opportunity gap.” From elementary school to high school, higher-income families are spending 7x more on out-of-school educational experiences for their children compared to lower-income families.
Many lower-income parents simply do not have the disposable income for purchases like sports equipment or admission fees to a museum. Parents working long hours or multiple jobs may be unable to take children to places like the library or their school’s summer learning program.
Understanding these contributing factors is essential for creating effective solutions that prevent the summer slide. How can leaders reduce the achievement gap in education and support strong school performance all year long?
While the summer slide poses a real challenge, schools can take action to reduce its effects. Here are some strategies to help students stay on track and thrive during the summer months.
What do schools need to consider when planning their summer programs to ensure that they actually prevent learning loss? Researchers studied various summer program models and identified nine characteristics that make a program effective:
School leaders can also consider different types of summer learning programs, including:
In addition to summer learning programs, the regular school year should also adopt a curriculum that considers the summer slide and other learning loss challenges. For instance, Math & Movement’s supplemental curriculum uses kinesthetic strategies to boost comprehension and retention. By making lessons physical, students are more likely to remember concepts long-term.
It is also crucial to look out for any signs of learning loss in students and provide targeted interventions early, before the problem becomes more severe. Some signs of struggle with learning loss include:
We know that parents and guardians play a big role in prompting children to engage in educational activities during the summer break. There are a few ways that school leaders can remind parents of their role and keep students motivated:
Schools can also partner with community organizations to support summer learning and create opportunities for students. This can be an opportunity for school fundraising as well. For example, notify parents that if they visit the local science center on certain dates, a portion of their admission fee will be donated back to the school.
By combining high-quality programming, strong instruction, and meaningful family and community involvement, schools can combat summer learning loss.
Each year, students experience measurable learning losses over the summer. For students from low-income families, these setbacks can add up even more and contribute to the achievement gap in education.
Many teachers are stuck reteaching old material at the beginning of each school year, rather than introducing new content. This setback affects school performance.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Embracing a proactive approach to summer learning is key. Equipping students with movement-based resources can turn summer into a season of progress and fun.
Math & Movement’s Summer Learning Kits are designed to do exactly that. These packages offer a fun, flexible, and evidence-based way to combat summer learning loss. With immersive, kinesthetic activities on our heavy-duty floor mats, kids can be active and keep up on their academic skills.
Add Math & Movement to your school’s summer learning program to keep students excited about and engaged in learning. Math won’t feel like a chore. Plus, we offer training on how to use our materials and lead our activities, ensuring your summer staff feels prepared.
Give every child the chance to grow year-round. Explore our Summer Learning Kits and take the next step toward a summer of progress and a school year of success.
The summer slide, or summer learning loss, is the loss of academic skills that occurs when students disengage from structured learning over summer break.
One study that tracked nearly 18 million US students from grades 1 to 6 found that more than half (52%) of them experienced learning losses five consecutive summers.
Math seems to be the most affected, with 70-78% of elementary students experiencing the summer slide in the subject each year.
Researchers identified nine characteristics that make a summer learning program effective:
The summer slide affects students from low-income families more, as they are less likely to have opportunities for educational activities over the break. According to the NSLA, by fifth grade, summer learning loss can leave low-income students two-and-a-half to three years behind their peers.
Children from low-income families experience greater levels of summer learning loss. They are less likely to have access to enrichment opportunities or structured activities to practice math over the summer.
Suzy Koontz, CEO and Founder of Math & Movement, has spent over 25 years helping students achieve academic success. She has created over 200 kinesthetic teaching tools adopted by schools nationwide and has authored over 20 books. As a sought-after national presenter, Suzy shares how movement can transform the way students learn.
Movement isn't just for recess
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