Research shows that a summer break from school can be a bad thing for children. It’s not that our kids don’t need and deserve a break.

They have more than earned a few months out of the classroom.

The problem is throughout the summer they often forget  the things they learned in school.

The problem is called the “Summer Slide” and it affects children nationwide. Several months of reading and math skills can be lost during the summer months.

However, the Troup County School System is doing its part to help eliminate the “Summer Slide.”

The school system hosted 115 elementary students from five schools for a summer school program that focused heavily on reading skills this summer.

The reading program appeared to be a success, based on the Early Intervention Program Rubric, which is used to measure student growth.

Students in the program saw an above average growth in grade level for participating.

The school system should be applauded for this summer program, which has undoubtedly helped students retain information from last school year.

With the new school year about to start, the students who participated in this summer program, and others like it, are in great shape to do well this year.