Ideas for Curbing Summer Reading Loss

Summer learning loss is one of the most significant causes of the achievement gap between lower and higher income youth and one of the strongest contributors to the high school dropout rate, according to the National Summer Learning Association. Flyer's focus on access and equity led them to help Gust Elementary in Denver curb summer reading loss. Gust families can use their app to access dozens of Unite eBooks wherever they are. "I can send reminders to families and see they're accessing the eBooks," says Katie Harlfinger, Teacher Librarian/School Tech Rep. "All of our app push notifications are sent out in English and Spanish to help our English Language Learners." Families access the eBooks through the school app while they’re in waiting rooms, stuck in traffic, or wrapping up the end of the day at work. What’s more important is the books can read themselves to the family in several languages. Students can see the words in English, for example, and hear them in Spanish.