Results of the First Ever Lehigh Valley Summer Learning Assessment

Results of the First Ever Lehigh Valley Summer Learning Assessment

Only One-Third of At Risk Youth Are Being Served 
In Summer 2014, members of the Lehigh Valley Summer Learning Coalition served over 14,000 youth, from pre-school through 12th grade. Of the youth, 67% lived in Allentown, Bethlehem or Easton, our three areas of greatest economic need. 

A total of 26,000+ students in our three largest cities (Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton), not including pre-school age children, live in poverty and need the benefits of quality summer learning opportunities to be able to read and perform at grade level. Currently, only one-third of all students who need these opportunities are being reached:

• 41% in Allentown
• 13% in Bethlehem
• 60% in Easton ​

 
With additional funding, we could double the number of kids served
Last year, there were 640+ spots available for students that went unused and an additional 6,800+ spots that could be made available with additional funds. Our program providers could serve 7,500+ children and teens - doubling the number of low-income youth connected to quality summer learning programs from 36% to 63%.

School Districts play a leading role 
Our school districts are the leading providers of summer learning, through the primary use of federal funds. However, across the three targeted districts, between 74-93% of funding goes to support middle and high school remediation, with only 7-26% supporting preventative academic measures at the elementary school level.
 
Low-income students not reading at grade level by the end of 3rd grade are 13x more likely to drop out of school. A greater investment in summer learning for our younger children is critical to future school success.
 
More Funding from community and governments is needed
Despite significant federal funding available for public schools to support academic remediation at the middle and high school levels, non-profit, community-based providers report little to no government support of their summer programs. More than 83% receive no government funding. Instead, the majority of funding comes from program fees, community donations and charitable grants. 
 
Providers challenged to meet the hours of programming needed to fight the "summer slide"
Did you know students lose 2-3 months of academic skills, called the "summer slide," if they aren't connected to quality learning opportunities over the summer? It takes 150 hours of quality summer learning experiences - including both academics and culturally-enriching activities (sports, arts, dance, swimming, etc.) - to prevent students from losing ground over the summer. The majority of public school summer programs offer only a half-day, 4-6 week academic-only program. This provides less than half of the required number of program hours proven to beat the "summer slide."

However, close to three-quarters of our community-based providers offer 7-8 weeks of half- and full-day activities, providing 120-240 hours of quality summer programming. Increased funding and support for our community-based programs is key to fighting the "summer slide" and promoting a successful and healthy start to the next school year.

With questions, please contact Beth Tomlinson at 610.807.5745  or Nyasia Manning at 610.807.5741.