Kids forget what they learn during the school year over the summer.

"Kids forget what they learn during the school year over the
summer. They all lose some math skills, but when it comes to reading,
poor and minority students fall behind their middle-class and more
affluent peers. This very real loss, called the summer slide, or summer
setback, continues to widen the academic achievement gap."... GFCP

Kids and parents consider summer to be the opportunity to break away from the pressures of school and academics.  Many parents will pay large sums to ensure that their kids engage in "fun" activities during the summer.  In general, that is not a bad idea, but Summer should also be used to reinforce fundamental Math and Reading skills, to engage in enrichment activities and to expand learning and knowledge in multiple areas.

"The research on summer learning
loss points to a disturbing
relationship between
socioeconomic and racial
disparities, and the achievement
gap. Cumulative summer learning losses
during the early elementary years among
socio-economic groups widen the gap. Since a
larger proportion of the low-income population
are minorities who are less likely to be
able to afford quality summer programs, summer
learning loss tends to be compounded
for poor and minority children." -- GFCP

As the end of Summer rapidly approaches, parents should ensure that their K-12 kids are engaged in some form of academic activity.  Summer is a great time to reinforce the fundamentals of Math and Reading.  We recommend that parents go the GPS site [click here] and review the standards that their children will have to accomplish in their rising grades.  Write down the topics, then go to khanacademy.com and have your child watch two videos per day on each topic.  It's simple, it's easy, it's convenient and parents are also encouraged to watch the videos with their kids.  A time for bonding and learning.  Make a special effort and do this for your child.  You won't regret it.