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Can Schools Enable Parents to Prevent Summer Learning Loss? A Text-Messaging Field Experiment to Promote Literacy Skills

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  • Matthew A. Kraft
  • Manuel Monti-Nussbaum

Abstract

The vast differences in summer learning activities among children present a substantial challenge to providing equal educational opportunity in the United States. Most initiatives aimed at reversing summer learning loss focus on school- or center-based programs. This study explores the potential of enabling parents to provide literacy development opportunities at home as a low-cost alternative. We conduct a randomized field trial of a summer text-messaging pilot program for parents focused on promoting literacy skills among first through fourth graders. We find positive effects on reading comprehension among third and fourth graders, with effect sizes of .21 to .29 standard deviations, but no effects for first and second graders. Texts also increased attendance at parent-teacher conferences but not at other school-related activities. Evidence to inform future efforts to reverse summer learning loss is provided by parents’ responses to a follow-up survey.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew A. Kraft & Manuel Monti-Nussbaum, 2017. "Can Schools Enable Parents to Prevent Summer Learning Loss? A Text-Messaging Field Experiment to Promote Literacy Skills," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 674(1), pages 85-112, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:674:y:2017:i:1:p:85-112
    DOI: 10.1177/0002716217732009
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Emily Beam & Priya Mukherjee & Laia Navarro-Sola, 2022. "Lowering Barriers to Remote Education: Experimental Impacts on Parental Responses and Learning," Working Papers 2022-030, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.
    4. Sam Sims & Jake Anders & Matthew Inglis & Hugues Lortie-Forgues, 2020. "Quantifying 'promising trials bias' in randomized controlled trials in education," CEPEO Working Paper Series 20-16, UCL Centre for Education Policy and Equalising Opportunities, revised Nov 2020.
    5. Lisa van der Sande & Ilona Wildeman & Adriana G. Bus & Roel van Steensel, 2023. "Nudging to Stimulate Reading in Primary and Secondary Education," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(2), pages 21582440231, April.
    6. Carolyn Riehl & Melissa A. Lyon, 2017. "Counting on Context: Cross-Sector Collaborations for Education and the Legacy of James Coleman’s Sociological Vision," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 674(1), pages 262-280, November.
    7. Esposito Acosta,Bruno Nicola & Sautmann,Anja, 2022. "Adaptive Experiments for Policy Choice : Phone Calls for Home Reading in Kenya," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10098, The World Bank.

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