For a long time, the issue of summer learning has waited in the wings, like a fully prepared understudy, ready to jump in and take the stage should the star need a back-up. Recently, though, summer learning has moved into the spotlight--and at the same time, the script is changing. Instead of memorizing and mimicking the star's lines, summer…

This report notes that studies dating back to 1906 find that children score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer vacation than they do in the Spring when schools close. Summer programs that address the needs of the whole child seem to be most successful at boosting academic achievement, self-esteem, and confidence. They also motivate…

Summer is a time for teachers to recharge their pedagogical batteries. Here, three veteran English teachers write about professional development programs that energized them and their teaching.

A summer sessions director gives some suggestions to improve enrollment and utilization of facilities during summer programs. (PG)

Initiated in 1974 at Gallaudet College (District of Columbia), the Learning Vacation involves the entire family in learning about, accepting, and dealing with school-aged hearing impaired children. The program is described in terms of staff, parent education, family activities, funding, potential barriers, and benefits. (SB)

Describes an enrichment program in classical studies sponsored for public- and private-school students by the Chicago Board of Education. (DS)

Describes three public library summer reading programs for children in the 1890s: Hewins' Vacation Reading Club; the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's Summer Playground Program; and the Library League of Cleveland. The growth of similar programs and related reports in the library literature of the early twentieth century are discussed, and summer…

"Family learning vacations" 5-10 day summer residential programs for families with deaf children, are described. Guidelines for establishing such a program are given concerning rationale, physical plant, eligibility, scheduling, parent activities, children's activities, and evaluation. (Author/DB)

This study was conducted to: (1) determine if the intercession calendar, an alternative calendar that reduces the total school year for students who do not need remediation, positively impacts overall student achievement; (2) to assess the explanatory ability of the intercession model in accounting for student academic achievement variability; and…

No longer is summer ushered in with that old "no more lessons, no more books" refrain. There are plenty of vacation learning opportunities--in and around New York, at college campuses, and even abroad--for all age groups. Here is a roundup of this summer's offerings. (Editor)

This paper examines the parents', staff members', and students' satisfaction with the intersession activities of a year-round elementary school. "Intersession" is defined as the period of time when students receive remediation in problem areas. The school cited in the report was chosen from a district that had recently implemented a…

This is a brief description of a summer visitation program designed to facilitate orientation of sixth graders about to enter junior high school. The counselor visited each new seventh grader at his home, met with him and his parents and discussed realistic goals for the student based on his records and on parents' aspirations. (CJ)

This article describes a cooperative college/school program in which 18 prospective teachers lived and worked with a group of school children and their regular teachers during a week-long summer trip. The benefits of this program are described by the program advisor, a college official, and a program observer. (SJL)