Preventing the Summer Slide for Young Readers

Proficient literacy skills are a critical foundation for success in school and life. Children who aren’t reading on grade level by the end of third grade are four times less likely to graduate from high school.

UGI supports a variety of initiatives that aim to improve childhood literacy through Pennsylvania’s EITC program, including Greater Scranton YMCA’s Summer Scholars.

Staying mentally engaged during the three-month summer educational gap is crucial to continued academic development of students. Despite progressing at the same rates during the school year, gaps widen each summer. The gap culminates in low high school graduation and college attainment rates, limited job prospects, and negative economic impact.

Greater Scranton YMCA’s Summer Scholars program prevents summer learning loss (also known as “summer slide”) and provides students with the tools and resources they need to succeed at the start of their next school year. The six-week program targets struggling readers and serves rising first, second, and third grade students attending the Dunmore and Mid Valley School Districts.

During the first week of the program, the students take a pre-test to assess their abilities. The students complete the program by taking a post-test which demonstrates their improved literacy skills. Last year, the Summer Scholars program served 67 students. The post-test scores at the end of the program rose an average of 43 points across all age groups and school districts.

UGI Utilities is proud to support the Greater Scranton YMCA’s efforts to improve literacy among young readers!

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