What is summer loss?  The idea of students slipping in their reading abilities is called “summer loss.” The concept is based, in part, on the research of James Sangil Kim, Ed.D., assistant professor of education at Harvard University. Dr. Kim’s research suggests that while many students’ reading skills diminish over the summer months away from school, students who read a minimum of eight high-interest books at their Lexile level over the summer can achieve similar gains in reading growth as students who attend summer school.
 
How your actions help

Durham Public Schools in North Carolina have implemented a Lexile program based on Dr. Kim’s research with success. Watch a 4-minute video about how the program boosted their summer reading success. And here’s how the Durham County Library implemented the Lexile-based program with reading lists that could easily be replicated through WorldCat.org lists (rather than having to build a specific page on your Web site.)

It’s an important point to make to your community—your summer reading program is fun and engaging, but it’s also vitally important. The work you do gives students an important leg up for the next school year. Use the downloadable WorldCat.org summer reading materials to help promote your summer reading program—especially as an online component for your current program.