Please go youtube and search "Two Steps Forward by Dr. Ron Fairchild." View the video which is about student achievement and the impact summer vacation has on their growth. After viewing the video, please blog two things 1) Whether you agree or disagree(cite examples) and 2) What we can do to close this gap
Thanks for your continued participation in this educational endeavor!!!!
I both agree and disagree that summer vacation does have a negative and a positive impact on students. One downfall is often over the summer students tend to forget prior knowledge learned in school and they become lax with the activities of the summer. On the other hand children normally mature during the summer and are able to come back to school in the fall ready to absorb new knowledge and connect it with prior knowledge, often fine tunning many skills. What we as educators can do to brdige this gap is provide activities for students to do over the summer and encourage parents to work with their children during the summer to also monitor summer learning experiences. For example educational trips to the museums, historical sites in Texas, library visits or sharing literature experiences with thieir children such as reading books together. We need to keep school months and summer months connected when we (educators) do not have as much contact with students so that the learning continues.
ReplyDeleteI agree to an extent. On average, he's probably correct, but the disadvantage doesn't occur during the summer alone...it's all year. Several parents of lower income students just don't work with their children at home or are unable to due to their own weaknesses. I know the summer is the time of the largest negative impact, so it's good that our district has the Summer Readin g and Math Projects to assist slightly, but if we're honest, most don't do it correctly or just not do it at all. The only way I see us closing the gap is to provide incentives with a summer program that will cause the students to want to participate. There could be a reading and math program where after each milestone they go on a field trip...swimming, skating, movie, etc. These are activities some of their parents can't afford, but they can 'earn' through academic achievement.
ReplyDeleteWatching the video, I agree to a certain extent that yes our students, children , ect need to be exposed to some type of learning material during the time off to keep them fresh on what to look forward to upon returning to school. Also, trying to maintain what they have already been taught. I do not agree on the middle class/ lower class achievement gap persay. I believe all student learning starts at home, whether it’s lower, middle, upper teaching A,B,C’s, potty training, ect its all apart of someone teaching you how to do it. Of course we have many working parents and non-working parents and different circumstances for different families, but I just do not believe that this gap takes place only during the summer months, it takes place all year round and continues each year.If that student/ child has started school for the first and the teacher and or educator feels that the child is behind, it just takes more work to try and build the student a foundation to strt from. Technically students does not have to enroll in school until 6 yrs of age and that’s the 1st grade! As a teacher of course our standards are higher, and WE expect them babies to already know certain things, we begin to feel like it’s a slap in the face when the student doesn’t know numbers, or shapes. Once again it starts at home, what I can do to bridge the gap is continue to communicate with the parents the importance of reading and try and find fun activities that involves learning during the off period, because we all know it takes fun things to get a students attention in the summer time.When the students return to school montior them closely on how much progress he/ or she has made or is making throughout the school term.
ReplyDeleteI agree with most of the statements Dr. Fairchild made. There are some exceptions to the rule but we know as a campus that these exceptions are not very common in regards to our students.
ReplyDeleteWhat can we do to close the gap? As summer learning takes place at home, I believe the only thing we can do is change the mindset of the parents in which we serve. That is a HARD task but kids do only what they are allowed to do or told to do. Piling them up with summer assignments doesn't guarantee that it will get done. We must begin to reach parents in some way and show them the importance of life long learning. We must provide examples of simple tasks that will work to close the gap.
I would have to say that I agree to an extent with the video by Dr. Faairchild. I can only use myself as an example though. While growing up in a single parent household with a mother that was constantly working to support her four daughters, I remember the summer break as a time to play and the library. Although we lived serval blocks from the neighborhood library, my mother would take me and my sisters every Saturday to the library. This was something that we continued on our own as we grew older. It was there that our love for reading developed.
ReplyDeleteAs for the second part of the question, how can we close the gap? Maybe a summer program that focuses on repairing that gap. Maybe something held once a week that can be done face to face or via a web community that focuses on reviewing the last lessons learned and a few of the lessons (any subject) of the new school year.
I agree and disagree. I agree because most certainly students who are not encouraged or required to read over the summer do lose ground compared to students who do read over the summer. I can determine during the school year who reads at home and who does not, who's only reading at school and who's not. The growth difference is measurable. Therefore, most definately a child who spends the summer without reading will lose far more growth than a student who does. Learning must occur at home as well as at school. That's the real issue. It's not a factor of income. That's where I disagree. Yes, families with more money can afford to buy more and do more. Maybe, they are more educated. However, it's more of a mindset. Otherwise, our ancestors would not have been able to learn to read and write. Not only that, poor children who learn and progress well along with their more afluent peers would not do so. There are affluent children who struggle at home because the parents don't understand their responsibility to their children. Parents must understand that learning is more than just at school. We must expose them to parenting classes, what learning can look like at home, with or without money, i.e, reading mail, food boxes, etc. Also, exposing them to free to low cost reading programs that help them better bridge the gap for their children would be a great influence, even more so than summer reading projects that are done the week or night before school starts back. We have to help parents understand their role in their child's learning and future.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the statements from the video that regression happens during the summer, but I also believe it is more due to values and motivation from the parents. Of course it doesn't hurt to have more incentives for students who show academic efforts, more communication with parents about ways they can help their children learn outside school hours, and more information on free or low cost programs being offered in Lancaster and the surrounding communities.
ReplyDeleteThe best way to instill values in children is to be the example of what you want for them. Maybe we should also motivate the parents to continue learning or reading for themselves (learning more about things they have interests in or finding something that interests them that they can learn about), while simultaneously showing their children what's important. I know it may be an idealistic thought, but it's another way I think we could try to help our students.
In this video, Ron Fairchild, further emphasizes what research has shown for years......."If you don't use it, you lose it!" I agree totally!
ReplyDeleteAlthough, public school adjourns for the summer, learning should not.
To ensure that their children continue to have growth, and does not forget what he/she learned the previous year, many parents require that their kids spend at least 30 minutes daily reading and doing math. In fact, in the past, many teachers sent home a summer packet at the end of the school year. To close this gap, we need to stress to parents the importance of a lifelong learner, and offer suggestions on what they can do to help their child during this time.
I agree with some aspects that Dr. Fairchild stated in his video. Middle class students and lower class students do no begin at the same level of education. I believe this is mainly due to exposure or the lack of exposure.
ReplyDeleteWhen you think about it, a middle class student, IN SOME CASES, come from a two parent household in which one or more parent has gone to college and have careers. This tends to bring educational encouragement as well as exposure on a variety of levels. It also provides students with the foundation of thinking beyond the classroom.
On the other hand, SOME lower level students come from households where education may not be stressed as much, there is a lack of resources/lack of knowledge of resources, and more importantly the need of providing quality time is an issue.
What we can do to close this gap is to provide the parents and students with programs such as the STEP UP program. A couple of years ago the district provided a Science/Math Enrichment Camps that provided students with real world and long term exposure. Besides providing students with Summer Reading/Math projects the district/campus should develop a grant writing team that would work solely to offer students and parents the opportunities to other resources. We must also equip our parents with the tools necessary to educate their children as well as themselves.
I agree with the video. Unfortunately good summer programs cost money and good parental guidance over the summer costs time, neither of which many parent are able or willing to contribute. The gap will remain unless communities offer low cost or free summer programs which place an emphasis on reading along with physical activity. During our summers, it is very often too hot too play for long outside and indoor activities seem to rarely include reading. It takes time to go to the library - time that many parents are not willing to give. If a parent has been reading all along - then they will probably read to their children during the summer, if they have taken their children to museums, story-time, etc during the school year, then that too will continue. But we know that those parents are not the majority. We have a hard road ahead to change an entire population who does not value education. I also believe that,in the future, all year schools may need to be a part of the solution, with smaller breaks throughout the year. It will take a combined effort involving all parents and educators. Parents hope that the school systems will provide an adequate education for their students and we often learn the hard way how wrong we were. Filling the gap is our responsibility as parents regardless of whether it is summer, winter, fall or spring. Having children brings great responsibility and it is about time that all parents assumed this responsibilty.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Dr. Fairchild that students from low income households do not tend to keep a lot of books around the house. Just like our real life simulation that we participated in at the beginning of the school year, low socioeconomic families have so many struggles to overcome, that the focus is not always placed on helping educate their children at home. Parents may place the whole weight of educating their children on the school because they do not have the capabilities or want to help in the process.
ReplyDeleteIn order to close this educational gap, it is imperative that parents are equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to help their children. The reading/math summer projects are a start, but access to face-to-face or online summer reading programs would be a great aid for parents and students. If parents are truly able to understand the Two Steps Forward viewpoint, they may in turn be more willing to find a way to expose their children to summer learning.
I agree with Dr. Fairchild that students in lower income families do fall backwards but I believe it has a lot to do with resources and parent values. Parents even in low income families if they truly value education they will find a way for their child to make some type of progress so that they do not fall quite so short. I understand that lower income families may not have the resources that middle class income families have but I believe those resources are out there for them to use if they truly want them for their child.
ReplyDeleteI believe as a school we need to do a better job of educating the parent of what is out there and available for them to use.
I have seen with the parent resource center here at Rolling Hills; we put it out there and some parents have truly used the resource but others have not put forth the effort therefore they do not value it.
I believe it goes back to the old saying "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink"
I agree with Dr. Fairchild but I would add that summer is not where the gap begins. The educational gap begins long before the summer.
ReplyDeleteIt breaks my heart to hear children ask "Can I borrow a book because I don't have any at home?" It's more about what we value.
Even though I grew up under similar circumstances as many of the students my family valued learning and I had teachers who believed in my abilities.
That's why I keep at it because I know we can make a difference because my teachers made a difference for me. Gap or no Gap.
The point that Dr. Fairchild is making is one that I agree with because it reinforces the fact tht support in the home is very necessary for students to be successful. This is needed during the school year and most importantly throughout the summer as the school support is not present.
ReplyDeleteI believe we can help close this gap by really providing parents with more resources outside of the school such as outside tutoring services or free community based education programs. Better yet, find resources for them to educate themselves first. It's easy to tell a parent where they can find help but in reality, many of our parents are unaware of how to handle business and make it happen. We have to be just as hands-on with our parents as we do our students. Of course, we have to get them here first or find some way to attract them to the cause. That's our major issue.
I agree with Ms. Dixson that support in the home is very necessary for students to be successful. This is not only needed during the school year, but during the summer as well since school and teacher support is not readily available. As a way to close this gap is to provide more outside resources for the students such as tutoring services or free education based programs within the community. If the parents had more resources to help their child, then I think the child will be more successful in school and life.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Dr. Fairchild that summer vacation does have an impact on some students. During the summer, students have a tendency to forget what they have learned because they are doing whatever they want to do while on summer break. Some summer camps offers educational activities and those students who attend are able to come back to school maintaining skills they’ve learned. I agree with my colleagues when they say students need GREAT incentives that will make them want to practice different skills learned daily at home.
ReplyDeleteWhat we can do to close the gap is communicate more with our students and parents over the summer to see what they are doing educational. At this time we could offer different programs that are taking place in the community that the children could benefit from.
I agree with Dr. Fairchild in the gaps that are created with learning and socioeconomic status. I also agree that during the summer, the gap gets larger for some students.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Green when she says that there should be grant writers to help keep children involved for the summer. We have baby-sitting services that do nothing for the children's learning. We have camps that teach children all the sports there are to learn. We feed their bellies in the summer, but not their minds. We have platforms for children, but do not take advantage of them. We need to have Math and Reading services during these sitters, camps, and feedings. Our low income families cannot afford to go to the babysitters, camps, nor are they coming up for food because their parents are out working and they must stay in because they are home by themselves.
Summer School should not only be offered to those that failed TAKS tests, but those that have been struggling through the year to catch up. Students should not be passed up to the next grade without the skills needed for them to be successful. The gap cannot be filled if we continue to push children up through grades just because they have failed before or because parents are embarrassed. If students have a qualified learning disability, we need to make sure that they are getting the services that they need regardless of the parents' feelings or pride.
I agree with Dr. Fairchild the majority of low income household does have access to Pre-K or headstart. Thus,those students start out behind because they are not exposed to the complete early childhood program. However, I beg to differ that the gap can be closed because we must work twice as hard to expose those children to world and reading and exploration.
ReplyDeleteI agree, and I've also seen other research that lower-income students actually gain more than their middle-class peers during the school year (not exactly the same amount, as presented in the video) but indeed, lose a significant amount over the summer. So indeed, because there is such an absence of educational opportunity in many (not all) lower-income homes, the school actually makes MORE of a difference for these kids (like ours) than it does for more 'privileged' students.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I think the school somehow needs to continue to be the center of summer learning. We need to rethink summer school as no longer reactive, in terms of 'the kids who failed' but as proactive, in terms of 'the kids who are most likely to fall behind at the next grade level.'
That involves an honest academic needs assessment as well as an objective home environment evaluation to determine which kids would benefit the most from continued summer schooling to help them close the gaps in their learning. We need to start taking kids who are on level or close at the end of their grade and determining those who are the most at-risk for regression during the summer months. These are the ones who need to have targeted interventions in our summer programs to prepare them for the next school year.
I agree that much learning is lost during the summer months. One way to combat this problem is to educate our parents on what has been learned during the year and what will be learned in the year to come. We could have classes and camps but that would not reach all of our students. On the other hand, if we give a packet to each student with a summerization of the learning from the year and the year to come with some games and activities for indoor and outdoor play, some weekly homework to keep the students minds fresh on the subjects learned throughout the year and at the end of the packet have examples and problems of future learning. This could reach those students that don't go to summer learning programs. If we let the parents and students know that there will be a reward every so often during the summer, like a free icecream at the school cafeteria for the students that bring the packet back completed to a certain point. Then at the beginning of the new school year, if students bring the packet back complete, they will recieve an even better reward at the end.
ReplyDeleteI think this type of program could reach a much larger population of students that are usually unable to go to the camps and classes.
1) Whether you agree or disagree(cite examples) and 2) What we can do to close this gap
ReplyDelete1. I agree completely! It is what research has shown from numerous early childhood to collegiate sources and has shown it for years without change! Reading & academics is not a priority in the African-American community and also in lower socio-economic groups and often those two groups are one and the same. When children come into school with huge learning gaps, it is tremendously difficult to close those gaps. Many synapses which need to happen in the brain in the first three years of life which affect learning, do not happen when children are not being read to and stimulated academically at home. They start school (as the man displayed) multiple steps behind. Unless strageties are put in place to help close that gap, each time those children go home, the gap will widen especially when you have a community of parents that do not value the importance of education.
2. Closing the gap is a two part process: One involves the school and the other part (which is a must) involves parental support & participation. There are some students that can achieve with just the wonderful instruction received in the classroom without support from home. Many kids need so much more. It starts at home and home must be a factor in closing the gap...They don't go home to us over the summer! This is a book so I will keep it short and simple!
Fairchild began by explaining millions of children in this country are not able to partake in a summer full of enrichment or are part of a constructive summer program. I agree with Fairchild, that this has a serious impact on academic performance. It also has an impact on their health and well-being. However, there are more quality summer learning programs being offered to children who are most at risk of experiencing setbacks. These programs actually help children produce strong academic gains and are something that parents and kids want. According to http://www.summerlearning.org, "two-thirds of the ninth grade achievement gap can be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities during the elementary school years." The mission of our nation should be to connect and equip schools and community organizations to deliver quality summer learning programs to our nation’s youth. This will help to close the achievement gap and support healthy development.
ReplyDelete