Key Findings The study examined how student and family attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors about reading were impacted by the SRS summer reading activities, and also included an exploratory review of students’ reading levels. In the scientific literature on summer reading loss, summer reading is usually measured in terms of lack of skill loss, rather than objective growth. 9 Findings from this research highlighted three important takeaways: • Summer reading loss can impact students at any reading level. Likewise, our findings indicate that SRS had a positive impact on students classified as below average in their reading level, but also students who were considerably above average. • Students across all grades reported positive impacts from SRS ; however, it was the rising 3rd graders who showed the most positive impact from the initiative. The current state and federal focus on reading proficiency by third grade further highlights the importance of this work. 10
• Families found considerable value in the Family Literacy Nights held at their schools.
Findings from 2017 to support these claims include:
• Students in the treatment schools in below average and above average tiers experienced less summer reading loss than students in the control schools. 11 o For students in the below average tier, 30% experienced summer reading loss in the control schools, compared to 21% in the treatment schools. o For students in the well above/above average tiers, 43% experienced summer reading loss in the control schools, compared to 34% in the treatment schools.
9 Entwisle, D. R., Alexander, K. L., & Olson, L. S. (2000). Summer learning and home environment. In R. D. Kahlenberg (Ed.), A notion at risk: Preserving public education as an engine for social mobility (pp. 9-30). New York: The Century Foundation Press. 10 http://www.ncsl.org/research/education/third-grade-reading-legislation.aspx 11 Grade 2–5 students’ AimswebPlus score changes from spring 2017 to fall 2017. Similar advantages were not found for students in the average reading tier in the treatment schools, which may warrant future analysis to delve deeper into what might account for this. Students in the well below average tier could not display a decrease.
Massachusetts
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