Summer Skill Builders Help Students Avoid Summer Slide

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Johnstown, PA (May 14, 2020) – The abrupt end to the 2019-20 school year could have a serious impact on academic growth and skill retention for area students. A recent study projects that extended closure of schools due to COVID-19 coupled with the summer break will result in as much as a 30 percent loss in reading gains and a 50 percent loss in math gains for some students. The study, authored by the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA), a research-based, nonprofit organization that supports students and educators, shows the average student will experience more than the traditional summer slide, a term used to describe the academic regression experienced by students over the summer.

To help families address the issue, The Learning Lamp will offer a highly affordable Summer Skill Builder program focused on core content areas such as math and reading. Available to students in grades K-12, it begins with a brief online assessment to create a personalized learning plan for each student. Content for students in grades K-5 will primarily cover math and reading while students in grades 6-12 can select courses in other subjects like science. Lessons are competency-based so students don’t waste time on content they know. Instead they practice lessons in areas where they are experiencing skill gaps. Students work at their own pace, with lessons available online 24/7.

Families can choose from a self-guided curriculum, which is ideal for self-motivated students at a cost of $50, or curriculum plus teacher support for a minimal cost of $70. Tuition assistance is available for families that qualify. Parents can register for the Summer Skill Builders program by calling The Learning Lamp at 814-262-0732 extension 234. The deadline to register is Friday, July 17, 2020. For more information about The Learning Lamp, visit thelearninglamp.org. Access to a computer or tablet and the Internet is required.

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The Learning Lamp is a nonprofit organization with a mission to engage all children in the support they need to succeed. We deliver high quality programs that are affordable and accessible to families of all income levels. In 2019, The Learning Lamp served 31,329 youth/adults from 53 public school districts and 78 other schools and organizations in 19 Pennsylvania counties. 

Our programs include: one-to-one tutoring; before/after school programs; portable classrooms aimed at building math and science skills; alternative education programs for at-risk students; evidence-based prevention programs; online learning and credit recovery; SAT preparation; educationally-focused child care; literacy-based preschool programs; and grant writing and project consulting for schools.