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  Family First: Prevent Brain Drain This Summer

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Family First: Prevent Brain Drain This Summer

NEW YORK (CBS) ― If you're worried your kids are going through brain drain this summer there's plenty you can do to get them back on track. Richard Berlin is Executive Director of "Harlem RBI" which is a year-round program that keeps hundreds of kids in East Harlem on top of their game academically through a mix of sports and classroom instruction.

CBS 2's Cindy Hsu sat down for a Q&A with Berlin.

How much can kids lose academically over the summer?

On average, children from low-income families lose nearly three months of grade-level equivalency, compared to one month lost by middle-income children when reading and math performance are combined. East Harlem youth, in particular, face a myriad of challenges related to growing up poor, including experiencing high rates of "summer learning loss" due to a lack of enriching activities during the summer months, attendance at failing schools during the school year and inadequate opportunities during after-school hours.

What can parents do to prevent brain drain?

In order to prevent summer learning loss, it is vital that youth keep reading and learning throughout the summer in a fun environment:

§ Parents can send their children to a summer learning camp such as Harlem RBI's REAL Kids Program.

§ Read to/with your kids every day – even reading the newspaper together can be meaningful

§ Take educational trips, such as low cost visits to parks, museums, zoos and nature centers. Consider a vacation with an educational theme.

§ Visit your local Public Library with your child; help them choose high interest books that they will enjoy.

§ Practice math every day. Even a visit to the grocery store can be an opportunity to practice math.

§ Get outside and play. Intense physical activity has positive effects on academic achievement.

§ Do good deeds – community service is a great way for children to stay engaged.

§ Limit TV and Video game time. Just because it is summer does not mean that your child should "check out."

Tell me about Harlem RBI's Real Kids summer program?

In 2007, the REAL Kids Summer Program will serve 270 boys and girls (a 12.5% increase from 2006) ages 9-12, in a seven-week summer program that runs Monday through Thursday from 8:30am-5:00pm with field trips each Friday from 10:00am-3:00pm. The REAL Kids Program provides structured academic, enrichment and sports programming in a youth-centered learning environment. REAL Kids is a model summer learning program for youth. In March of 2006, Harlem RBI's REAL Kids Program was named the winner of the Johns Hopkins University's "Center for Summer Learning Excellence Award" in a competition that is national in scope. Also, in March of 2007, the REAL Kids Program was awarded with James Patterson's Pageturner Award.

REAL Kids addresses the following gaps that typically hinder elementary school-age children's ability to succeed academically, socially, emotionally and physically:

* REAL Kids combats "summer learning loss" prevalent among youth in low-income communities. On average, children from low-income families lose nearly three months of grade-level equivalency during the summer months each year, compared to an average of one month lost by middle-income children.

* REAL Kids addresses the lack of structured programs during the summer months for low-income youth. 64% of low-income parents report their children do not have quality program options in the summer

* REAL Kids supports youth literacy among a population that is likely to fall behind academically at an early age, as statistics show that only 36% of elementary school students in East Harlem meet the State and City Reading Standards.

The specific objectives for youth of the REAL Kids Program are to:

-Bridge the "summer learning gap" common among low-income youth;
-Improve and increase literacy skills and youth's interests in reading;
-Develop positive social and emotional skills such as teamwork; and
-Improve physical fitness through baseball/softball participation.

REAL Kids' goals and objectives are achieved through several comprehensive strategies. The program design creates a micro-environment that meets youth's broad developmental needs while supporting and encouraging their efforts to find enjoyment and success in educational, enrichment and athletic settings. One of the biggest accomplishments of REAL Kids is the seamless interweaving of these vital developmental areas. In the classroom, on the ballfield, on field trips, or at a sleep-away camp, youth come to value and enjoy reading and learning, cultivate their physical capacities, build relationships with peers and adults, and explore the Harlem RBI Values of Respect, Effort and Teamwork.

What success have you seen?

The ultimate goal of Harlem RBI is to ensure that participants who enter the program as vulnerable children graduate as resilient young adults.

Harlem RBI's long-term goals for youth are achieved through participation in the program over time. Each program component has specific age-appropriate goals that support these organizational goals and the REAL Kids Program is where youth start to learn how to achieve these goals. Data from the most recent program years suggests the organization is off to a strong start. Over the last three years, 93% of graduating participants have matriculated to college compared to only 13% in the surrounding neighborhood. Harlem RBI continues to engage youth over many years, not on a seasonal or ad-hoc basis. This consistency builds strong support networks that ensure participant achievement of program goals. The 2007 graduating senior class average duration in the program reached 5.9 years this year.

Harlem RBI evaluates each program by participants' progress and achievement of program goals. Evaluation results for summer 2006 affirm that the REAL Kids program is an effective and valuable program for youth.

The REAL Kids Program improves literacy skills and attitudes towards reading.
-86% of youth improved or maintained their reading scores, showing no summer learning loss
-95% of youth self-reported that REAL Kids helped them to like reading more
-85% of youth greatly improved their basic reading comprehension skills with 96% improving in their ability to make predictions and 90% improving their ability to ask themselves questions about what they read

The REAL Kids Program improves social and emotional skills such as conflict resolution, self-confidence, and teamwork.
-96% of youth improved their ability to avoid fights
-Over 75% of youth improved their ability to praise, motivate and support their peers
-Nearly 100% of youth reported that the REAL Kids program helped them to challenge themselves to do better

The REAL Kids Program has an impact in school and at home.
-96% of parents reported that as a result of REAL Kids, their children try harder in school
-97% of parents reported that their children were more excited and better prepared to start school in September after a summer in the REAL Kids program
-Over 93% of parents reported that their children are more motivated to write, like reading more and choose to read at home as a result of the REAL Kids program
-98% of parents reported that as a result of REAL Kids, their children got along better with peers

Who is eligible and how do you get involved?

Currently, Harlem RBI programs serve over 650 East Harlem boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 18. Activities are age and gender-appropriate and intensify over time as participants grow, from season to season and year to year. Harlem RBI programs are free of charge and all participants are accepted regardless of athletic or academic ability. Once youth enter Harlem RBI, they are expected to commit to Harlem RBI until they graduate from high school and matriculate to college. Participants spend between 6-16 hours per week during the school year and as many as 35 hours per week during the summer in Harlem RBI's academic, enrichment and sports programs.

Final thoughts?

All learning – and particularly summer learning – should be Fun. Keep children active and engaged and they will both enjoy themselves and grow in the process.

E-Mail Comments to Cindy Hsu

(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)