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Summer learning loss is a concern for parents and teachers alike, as research further documents the reality of this trend. The cites research spanning 100 years that consistently shows students score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer vacation than they do on those same examinations before summer break begins. Evidence also points to the fact that summer learning loss contributes significantly to the widening achievement gap between low-income and middle-income students as they progress through school. What can parents do to prevent this trend with their own children? Check out these ten summer options to keep your kids learning all summer long.

Talk to Your Child’s Teacher

A report at advises parents to talk to their child’s teacher prior to the end of the school year to get recommendations on material to cover over the summer. The teacher can alert you to potential gaps in your child’s learning that you can work to fill during the break. Some teachers will even have reading lists or workbook selections that would benefit your child’s summer learning program most.

This video offers parents some tips for summer learning.

The Summer Reading Adventure

Local libraries are a boon to parents and kids over the summer months. Many have summer reading programs, complete with enticing prizes if kids read a certain number of books or log

Summer school may be a requirement if your child did not pass one of his classes during the school year. It might also be a choice for a student who wants to get ahead for the upcoming academic year. No matter the reason behind the summer school choice, it can be challenging to hit the books when everyone else is enjoying vacation time. Check out these ten tips to help your child survive and succeed in his summer school efforts.

Avoid Learning Loss

Is summer school the right choice for your child, or would a break from the stress and strain of class be more beneficial? According to a 2003 study cited at , summer learning loss can concern parents of struggling students. The study found that students lost up to one month of learning by the time they returned to school in the fall. This gap may be even higher for students who traditionally struggle with academics.

This video from PBS discusses reinventing summer school to avoid learning loss.

Choose the Right Class

Some summer classes may be filled with remedial students or students with severe learning disabilities that do not serve to motivate your own students to succeed. When searching for a summer class, consider the environment your student will be working in to ensure it will breed success. The right class will be well worth the cost if

Many high school students document their school years on social networks like Facebook, where they fill pages with funny photos and funnier comments regarding their teen antics. However, some experts are now recommending that high school students take a more serious approach to their social networking, by hooking up with the professional network LinkedIn. Why should fun-loving high schoolers take a second look at a stuffed-shirt site like LinkedIn? It turns out there are many potential benefits from tuning into this established network at a younger age.

Job Searching Early

Even teens need to get a leg up on their job searches, whether they are on the hunt for a career right out of high school or a part-time job to help them pay the college bills. Globe and Mail recently reported that the days of the paper CV are out – now it’s all about selling yourself to prospective employers through digital mediums. Employers are now looking up applicants online, through social media, and even a personal website. Some employers even discount an applicant who restricts their resume or application to the paper variety, according to Jaigris Hodson, an instructor of digital literacy at Ryerson University.

This video offers a tutorial on LinkedIn for students.

“I advise my students to build an online portfolio that demonstrates the abilities they have to help employers solve their problems and portrays them as sources

As high school seniors are busy making their choices about which college to attend, those coming behind them may be watching the process with interest. They know that they too will be facing that quandary in a few short months, even as they are amassing piles of information about various colleges and universities across the country. While choosing a college can seem like a daunting task, there are ways to narrow the choices and make the decision-making process a little easier. Check out these 10 tips for choosing the best college for you.

Consider What You Want

What is your primary reason for attending college? Are you all about the academics, or is the social aspect of college important as well? Do you relish moving away from home to experience college life independently, or would you prefer to live at home as you take your first year or two of classes? Consider how you picture your college life for the next two to four years, to determine which types of colleges will meet your expectations best. This video points out that finding a college with the best fit is what to look for.

Talk to Others

Talk to friends and family members that are in college or recently graduated, to learn more about their experiences with higher education. Find out what they like and didn’t like about various schools. A report at

A new GED examination is coming to states nationwide, promising to better prepare students for the rigors of higher education or the 21st-century workforce. The update marks the largest change to the exam in its 70-year history, and not everyone is on board with the new product – or its higher price tag. Is the new GED a necessity to maintain a competitive workforce in America, or will it price some students right out of high school completion?

Need for Revamping

The Washington Post reports that the new GED examination is scheduled to be introduced on a national level in January 2014. The exam is currently in a pilot phase in select locations and has received positive reviews from many who have taken the new test. The test is designed to assess skills and knowledge that are more relevant to the 21^st century, including critical thinking skills, a deeper knowledge of mathematics, and basic computer literacy.

“The content has been aligned with the Common Core State Standards,” Tiffany Cowie, public information officer for the Florida Department of Education, stated in a report from the . “The new test will reflect the knowledge and skills required for current graduates.”

The current GED exam is available in English, French, and Spanish. It covers five test areas: writing, reading, mathematics, science, and social studies. According to the website for GED Testing Service, the new exam will cover four test areas: literacy, mathematics, social studies, and science.