Preventing the “summer slide” and providing an opportunity for students to get back on track
The challenge
For many students, perfect attendance isn’t always a reality. Home life circumstances, family dynamics and other factors create obstacles for some students that prevent them from attending school as often as they should. Second grader Klaire was no exception.
Klaire, raised by a single mother, had to grow up quickly due to challenges and setbacks she and her mother faced, all of which has led to Klaire missing more than 25 school days in a single year. The absences caused Klaire to fall behind and struggle academically, rendering her unable to master critical elements in reading fluency and comprehension. The “summer slide,” when students often regress on critical skills during summer breaks, presented yet another obstacle to her literacy development.
The solution
Thanks to funding from Coaching for Literacy through the University of Miami’s #Fight4Literacy Game presented by International Paper, Klaire had an opportunity to prevent that summer slide through CARE Elementary’s Summer Remediation Reading Program. Klaire’s mother, who enrolled both Klaire and her sisters, was thrilled.
Each summer, the program pairs more than 25 high-risk students with highly qualified teachers and interventionists to bridge the reading achievement gap and minimize summer learning loss. Klaire was lucky enough to have 30-year veteran and certified teacher Patricia Stokesberry to bridge that gap. And now, Klaire has a renewed confidence in herself and her ability to read.
The testimony
“Thank God for this opportunity,” Klaire’s mother said. “Knowing how to read well is how my girls will make it. They’ll be given a better chance than I was given.”
As of today, Klaire’s third grade diagnostic assessment scores reflect a student that performs on grade level and thrives in reading, an indicator of the bright future ahead of her.
"My teacher has helped me become a better reader, and now I understand more,” Klaire said.
You can #Fight4Literacy.
Illiteracy impacts every community – it is critical that we all join together to help children locally and around the country. Consider donating to Coaching for Literacy or participating in an upcoming #Fight4Literacy Game. Share this message with your friends and family on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, and follow Coaching for Literacy for information about upcoming events and the fight against illiteracy. We look forward to having you on our team.
