Innovative Learning Solutions

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release July 6, 2009
NATIONAL SUMMER LEARNING DAY, 2009
– – – – – – –
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Like an athlete out of practice, a child who takes long
breaks from learning can face academic setbacks. This problem
is especially prominent during the summer, when students may
lose more than two months of progress. Children must remain
engaged to maintain and build upon their current academic
achievement.

Learning loss can be especially pronounced among low-income
children. Recent research suggests that unequal access to
summer learning opportunities helps explain the achievement gap
between low-income and affluent students. This gap ultimately
means that low-income students may be less likely to graduate
from high school or enroll in college.

High-quality summer learning programs help children
catch up, keep up, and work ahead. These activities provide
students with hours of focused time for hands-on learning
and creative projects. Participation can result in gains
in writing, reading, and math skills. Through the arts,
sports, and other extracurricular activities, summer learning
opportunities also promote innovation and physical fitness.
These health benefits are especially important because childhood
obesity is at an all-time high and children typically gain
weight two to three times faster during the summer.
Sustained public service can also dramatically impact
summer learning loss. Students can challenge themselves and
others through mentoring, environmental projects, and other
meaningful volunteer work. Youth and their communities both
benefit from these activities. Local opportunities for service
can be found at: Serve.gov.

Families and community members play the most important role
in the lives of their children. Demands at work and home mean
that many parents have less time to spend with their children,
but this time, care, and instruction is critical to children’s
academic success. Especially during the summer, parents should
try to find time to read interactively with children. When
possible, families should visit public libraries, tour museums
and science centers, and explore the great outdoors. Parents
can also encourage youth to keep a journal and to practice math
skills through cooking and games.

Even though summer has arrived, student learning needs do
not take a vacation. On Summer Learning Day, we highlight the
need for more young people to be challenged during their time
off from school. We also express support for local programs,
communities, and families that help children grow through
learning initiatives. Working together, we can help students
remain engaged and return to school with lithe and limber minds.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in
me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby
proclaim July 9, 2009, as National Summer Learning Day. I call
upon all Americans to support students as they participate in
summer learning. I encourage students, parents, educators, and
the non-profit community to engage in summer learning activities
so that youth return to school poised for academic advancement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
sixth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine,
and of the Independence of the United States of America the
two hundred and thirty-fourth.
BARACK OBAMA
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