O-mama - Opinionated Moms

Time Magazine, August 2nd Edition

Time Magazine investigates the “Case Against Summer Vacation” in their August 2^nd print edition. They set out to debunk the Tom Sawyer-esque American myth that school is work and summer is play.  With a growing world economy, American students will have to compete with children around the world who do not put their brains on hold for a 10 week summer break.  This may not bode well for the future of American ingenuity and expertise in the global marketplace. 

But even more striking than American vs. foreign students, is the discrepancy found on the effects of summer vacation on children of low-income families.  Academics and educators call it the “summer-slide” or “summer learning loss,” and the Time article claims it creates a substantial achievement gap between these kids, and their economically privileged counterparts.

A major study by John Hopkins University concluded that without access to summer enrichment, tutoring or “smart camps,” summer for the disadvantaged amounts to a season of boredom, inactivity and isolation. This leads to striking differences in the learning gap, putting grammar school students nearly 3 grade levels behind.

Several non-profit associations such as the Lilly Endowment and National Summer Learning Association are trying to coordinate, expand and improve summer enrichment programs for these kids. At the same time, educational reformers have pushed for a longer school year and access to creative summer learning opportunities through the public schools. 

MOMism: “Brain freeze!”  Who doesn’t love summer vacation? Just the thought conjures up images of sticking our feet in the sand, playing in the street, making mud pies, and getting lost in a good book. But not for everyone. The harsh reality for many is that summer vacation is nothing more than idle time, the season when older siblings are left to fend for little ones when mom and dad are at work. It is the season of boredom and brain freeze, leaving the curriculum of September and October as nothing more than “catch-up.”

And, the costly summer learning opportunities between the "haves" and "have-nots" is startling.  Tutoring runs $40/hr, adventure camps a cool few hundred dollars a week... magnify that by the need for childcare for those parents who have to work and whose jobs don’t take a 2-month hiatus in the summer...and the achievement gap is born. 

Institutions like public education are meant to provide opportunity, regardless of a parent’s bank account. We mandate education, but we also mandate a ridiculously long brain freeze each summer (and we're not talking the Slurpee kind) for those who need more, not less stimulation.  If our kids are the future, what do we do to make sure American kids don't fall through the cracks?  Should summer vacation be optional?  What are the solutions?  MAMAs, please share your opinions on this important issue.