A Quasi-Experimental Study of the Impacts of the Kids Read Now Summer Reading Program

• In Event: Evaluations of Elementary Literacy Programs

Abstract

We draw on administrative data and reading achievement data provided by two Midwestern school districts for three elementary schools that participated in the Kids Read Now (KRN) summer reading program during summer 2018. Applying propensity score matching methods, we contrast reading outcomes for KRN participants to those for a matched control group of non-participants from grades 1-4. Relative to matched controls, we find that the impact of KRN is equivalent to a 1.7 to 2.5 month summer learning advantage, effectively minimizing and in some cases eradicating the average two-month summer reading slide typically experienced by low-income students. This study, the first of its kind to evaluate KRN, highlights a promising opportunity for deeper research on the program in the future.

Authors

• Geoffrey D. Borman, Arizona State University

• Hyunwoo Yang, University of Wisconsin - Madison

• Xin Xie, University of Wisconsin - Madison