Pauline Phipps

Colloquium to consider ways to bridge summer setbacks in learning

School achievement gaps stem partly from inequalities among children’s opportunities to learn outside of school, particularly during the summer, says Scott Davies. Some children entertain themselves over summer breaks from school, while others enjoy a menu of enriching activities.

The “summer setbacks” compound, eroding the literacy skills of disadvantaged children and attributing to an achievement gap by high school, says Dr. Davies, a professor of sociology at McMaster University.