Enrichment program stems learning loss among low-income kids
at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies

November 2004

Contact:
Brad Dixon
University Relations
404-651-3575
braddixon@gsu.edu

Enrichment program stems learning loss among low-income kids

ATLANTA – A pilot summer program helped underprivileged children in metro Atlanta retain and increase what they learned during the pre-kindergarten year, according to Georgia State University researchers.

During the summer months, low-income children typically forget classroom lessons at greater rates than their more economically advantaged peers, past research has shown.

But children who participated in the Summer Enrichment Program improved in expressive language skills, naming numbers, and their familiarity with printed material and story comprehension. The pilot program, which served 173 children, extended kids’ participation in various pre-k classes for eight to 10 weeks during summer.

Funded by private foundations and administered by Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, the program was designed to continue the development gains made by children during the pre-k year, said lead researcher Gary Henry, professor of public administration and urban studies/political science/educational policy studies in the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State.

“Research suggests the traditional summer break may last too long, and that children learn best when instruction is continuous,” Henry said. “Loss of math skills, spelling and early reading skills are substantial during the summer, especially for economically disadvantaged children.”

Just more than half – 52 percent – of children participating in the summer program were African-American and 43 percent were Hispanic. At the start of the summer, only 28 percent of the children could identify the numbers one through 10. By the program’s end, the percentage of kids who could complete that task rose to 46.7 percent.

“Summer programs to prepare preschoolers for kindergarten are not a panacea, but they can help these children be ready for their classes, which are more demanding now than they were in the past,” said Henry, who recommends enlarging and evaluating a summer readiness program in 2005 targeted for children living in lower income families.

For more information, contact Henry at 404-651-2343 (office), 404.808.9352 (cell) or gthenry@gsu.edu.

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