Better Than Average Featured on WSFA-12 News: Combating the ‘Summer Slide’ and Preparing for Fall
Better Than Average Featured on WSFA-12 News: Combating the ‘Summer Slide’ and Preparing for Fall
As families across Montgomery prepare to transition back into the academic year, Better Than Average (BTA) was recently invited to join WSFA-12 News during Summer Learning Week to discuss one of the most common challenges students face: the “summer slide.”
BTA Founder and Executive Director, L.J. Walker, sat down with the WSFA-12 team to break down what the summer slide actually looks like, how it impacts a student’s confidence, and what parents can do right now to ensure their child starts the new school year with momentum.
Understanding the Summer Slide
It is natural for parents to breathe a sigh of relief when summer arrives, especially if their student finished the previous year with good grades. However, months away from a structured learning environment can cause underlying gaps in foundational reading and math skills to widen.
During the segment, L.J. emphasized that the summer slide is not just about forgotten facts—it is about the loss of academic confidence. When a student walks into a new grade level feeling unprepared, that initial frustration can set the tone for the entire semester.
Proactive Steps for Families
At Better Than Average, we believe that education is a year-round partnership. To help families proactively transition out of summer mode and prevent the summer slide, L.J. shared several actionable strategies on the broadcast, including:
- Integrating Learning into Everyday Life: You don’t need a classroom to teach math and reading. Building learning into daily activities—like measuring ingredients while cooking or calculating totals while grocery shopping—keeps a student’s mind active.
- Engaging with the Community: Take advantage of local resources. Simple routines like weekly trips to the library, or visiting local parks and museums, can spark curiosity and keep kids engaged.
- Committing to Daily Reading: Even a small amount of daily reading practice is one of the most effective ways to help students stay on track and preserve their foundational skills heading into the new school year.
Watch the Full Segment
We are honored to continue serving as a trusted educational resource for the Montgomery community. You can watch the full interview and read the accompanying article using the links below:
Start the Year with Confidence
If you are wondering whether your student is truly ready for their new grade level, do not wait for them to fall behind. Start the year with absolute clarity.
Our Learning Launch Diagnostic provides an objective, stress-free assessment of exactly what your child has mastered and where they need targeted support. From there, our Student Success Team will build a highly personalized growth plan designed to close those specific gaps efficiently.
Click Here to Book Your Learning Launch Diagnostic
Better Than Average is Montgomery’s premier educational institution, dedicated to developing confident learners, future leaders, and lifelong achievers. Always Striving. Never Settling.