THE
SUMMER
SCHOLARS
About Summer Scholars
My name is Sam Johnson, I'm a graduate of Hinsdale South High School, and a marketing student at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. My goal for Summer Scholars is to address a major roadblock in learning progress for young students: the "summer slide."
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The Governor's Early Literacy Foundation defines the summer slide as "the distinct learning loss that students can experience when out of school." A 2020 NWEA study showed a 20% loss in school year gains in reading occurred over the summer. In "Summer Learning and the Effects of Schooling," Barbara Heyns found that students who didn't read at all over the summer could lose as much as an entire grade level worth of reading skills.​
Furthermore, a report by the Senate HELP Committee details the literacy crisis the United States is facing. The plateauing (and many times, decreasing) test scores and literacy metrics in the US pose problems now, but more importantly, for the future. Literacy is a necessity to navigate high school, college, the workforce, and the digital world, among many other things.
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Our goal is not only to combat the summer slide, but to equip students with the habits and tools they need to continue to excel without tutoring, and to be leaders moving forward in their lives.
With the help of many of my fellow high school and college students who share an interest in this program, I hope to make a real impact on students to help their future success.
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We believe that The Summer Scholars will create a positive impact on young learners. We also want to help create good habits, spread positivity, and make learning fun.
Our Mission
Our mission is to practice reading with young students at their own pace, making a difference by reversing summer learning loss in a fun and positive environment.