The pandemic had a lingering effect on youth in K-12 schooling. Summer learning loss was a true concern before the pandemic however, the issue is now compounded with the anticipated surge in dropout rates from 2020 to 2021 due to COVID-19.
For students of low socio-economic status, the loss of learning over summer break can be staggering. According to national research sourced by Boys & Girls Clubs of America, most youth lose about two months of grade-level equivalency in mathematical computation skills over the summer months. Low-income youth also lose more than two months in reading achievement, while their middle-class peers make slight gains.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa has spent the last 15 months remaining nimble in the face of COVID-19 by offering expanded programming and services to kids across the community – even to schools in the DMPS district not currently served through a local Club. Summer Club has also begun, to ensure kids have a safe place to go during the next few months, while also providing them food and learning resources to fill any gaps prior to the next school year.
Stephaine Gomez, local Des Moines resident, brings her son, Tegan Gomez, to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa McCombs Club and recently spoke with We Are Iowa Ch. 5 about their experience.