Effectiveness of a Short-Term Computer-Based Literacy and Math Summer School Program

Abstract

Summer learning loss refers to a significant decline in achievement during summer months. Several remedial summer school programs have revealed positive effects on combating summer learning loss. A looming concern present in schools is the reality of budget cuts which have tremendously affected summer school programs. Because past research has revealed that students from low SES families and school districts are more likely to exhibit poor academic achievement, implementing an effective summer program while facing budget cuts in these areas has become increasingly difficult. The current study aimed to evaluate if an abbreviated summer school program that ran for four weeks and incorporated an academic computer program along with individual instruction could be an effective adaptation to budget cuts in the education system.