ERIC Number: ED642125
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 207
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-7806-3225-2
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
A Randomized Evaluation of Early Elementary Reading and Math Outcomes from Voluntary Summer Learning Programs
Joseph R. Anthes
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Lehigh University
More than a century of research exists on summer learning loss and summer learning programs. However, many schools continue to underutilize the summer as a period of time in which students with academic deficits can catch up to their peers. Few studies have explored the impacts of summer learning experiences on concentrated, school-level populations. Furthermore, summer learning programs are rarely evaluated, leading to false assumptions regarding student learning and potentially, the misuse of valuable and scarce school resources. The current study evaluated the impact of two different summer learning programs on the reading and math outcomes for first and second grade students from a small Title I elementary school within an urban locale in eastern Pennsylvania. The study capitalized on the elementary school's random assignment of students to summer learning programs by conducting a secondary database analysis. In a sample of 54 students, 23 students declined participation (DP), 16 enrolled in the district's Title I (DT1), program and 15 students enrolled in the Community School (CS) program. A combination of experimental and quasi-experimental designs were used to compare Acadience Reading and easyCBM Math fall benchmark assessments for the three experimental groups to evaluate the two locally controlled, complementary summer programs. Using a series of descriptive and inferential statistics, the analysis revealed that students from historically marginalized groups and those with lower academic performance in the spring were more likely to access the school's summer learning opportunities. However, ANCOVA and multiple regression analyses revealed that neither the DT1 and CS summer programs had a significant effect on most fall reading outcomes or on math outcomes. Multiple regression analyses also showed a non-significant relationship between program attendance and fall reading and math outcomes, while the descriptive statistics found notable differences in summer program attendance rates. The evaluation offers a model for future lower elementary programming and evaluation, as well as recommendations for school leaders seeking to implement and improve summer learning programs. In addition, the study points to future summer learning research opportunities. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Elementary Schools, Urban Schools, Grade 1, Grade 2, Mathematics Education, Reading Programs, Summer Programs, Instructional Design, Program Evaluation
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Elementary Education; Early Childhood Education; Grade 1; Primary Education; Grade 2
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Pennsylvania
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A