As summer break approaches, how can Kansas families and educators help students hold on to the academic gains they've made throughout the year?
In this episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast, we explore practical strategies to prevent the “summer slide” — the learning loss that can happen when studentsare out of the classroom for extended periods.
Join Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson, Kansas educators and literacy experts (listed below) as they talk about engaging, accessible ways to keep kids reading, thinking, and learning all summer long. From library partnerships to simple at-home activities, discover tools and tips that make summer learning fun and meaningful.
Guests include:
Topics include:
Resources mentioned:
Capstone: https://www.capstonepub.com/
Common Sense Media: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
Kansas Framework for Literacy: https://www.ksde.gov/Portals/0/CSAS/KSDE%20Literacy%20Framework%202025.pdf?ver=2025-03-03-125621-967
PBS for Parents: https://www.pbs.org/parents/
Start with a Book: https://www.startwithabook.org/
Summer Meal Locations: https://ksde.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=c59a8dfe7b5046aa893d32296c946f53
Sunflower Summer (Open Saturday, July 12-Sunday, August 3): https://sunflowersummer.org/
Other resources:
Summer Slide Statistics and Prevention
School Districts’ Post-Covid Strategies for Summer Learning - FutureEd
How to address the mental health 'summer slide' for K-12 students | K-12 Dive
Summer Slide Education | Strategies to Bridge the Gap
Leave a comment below on suggestions you have to keep kids engaged and learning all summer long!
