User:Kcoreas1/Educational inequality in the United States

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Summer learning gap programs *under Summer learning gap*
Summer programs have been used as a method to decrease the achievement gap in American public schools. Many programs are free or at a reduced cost which make them more accessible. There are a wide range of programs provided by local school districts, non-profit organizations, or receiving federal funding to operate. Some programs are required or mandated by school districts. There are also programs that are costly and only students from higher socioeconomic status are able to attend. Programs usually are for several weeks over the summer. There are programs students can participate in at home. The majority of summer programs focus on improving math and reading skills since those are the two subjects students are struggling with the most when looking at national test scores. Reading programs that take place over the summer are often provided by local school districts with the purpose of boostiing students' interest in books. The books are provided by schools which make them accessible. Summer programs that focus on improving the summer learning gap focus on retaining the knowledge that students have gained through the academic year. Programs will have a lot more instructional time within their programming to help boost students’ skills. Since these programs are able to have smaller class sizes, focus on individual students' needs, and provide students with a lot more attention, they foster a better learning environment.

The accessibility to programs is a concern of many, since not all students have access to the same opportunities. Students who might not have access to summer programs may struggle more the following academic year. Lack of access also increase the achievement gap that already exists between students from lower and higher socioeconomic status. While there are programs that are available that are low-cost or free, there is also the concern that the types of programs that come with a fee are better quality and provide a lot more to the students from higher income backgrounds.

The effectiveness of summer programs has been a growing concern. Programs that have been observed and produce positive results are available to students who are from lower socioeconomic status. While there is sufficient data that summer learning programs can be effective in some ways, there is also data on how it takes a while for these types of programs to actually make an impact on students.