[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 21, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S3968]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            SUMMER LEARNING

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, today I wish to discuss the importance of 
summer learning, and to draw attention to the significance of high-
quality summer learning opportunities in the lives of young people.
  The effort to keep kids learning during summer is based on research 
that shows that without effective summer learning opportunities: 
students fall more than 2 months behind in math over the summer; low-
income children fall behind 2 to 3 months in reading each summer; and 
that by the end of fifth grade, lower income children can be nearly 3 
years behind their higher income peers in reading.
  Last year, nearly 500 events were held nationwide that highlighted 
how summer learning programs advance academic growth, support working 
families, keep children safe and send students back to school ready to 
learn.
  I am proud to recognize the importance of summer learning and 
encourage communities across the country to celebrate and acknowledge 
the importance of providing all young people with high-quality learning 
opportunities during the summer months.

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