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As summer vacation approaches, kids are gearing up for the season with little regard for the academics they will leave behind when the backpacks are hung up for the year. On the other hand, parents and teachers often worry about the loss of important skills throughout the summer months, which must be retaught once school rings in again. For parents intent on avoiding the academic summer slide, there are a number of ways to keep kids’ brains in the game, even as they are looking forward to their break from the classroom.

This video offers tips to avoid the summer slump.

Keep Them Reading

Studies have shown that kids can lose up to 25 percent of their reading skills over the summer months, which can have a significant impact on their ability to get back into the school swing in the fall. A report at shows that income disparity widens the reading gap over the summer even more. Children in low-income households consistently lose more than two months of reading ability each summer. In contrast, children in middle to upper-income homes may remain steady or gain skills during vacation.

cites research that shows reading just six books over the summer can keep students on track when they return to the classroom. One way to ensure your kids keep reading all summer long is to schedule regular

10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students

Athletics have been a mainstay of the high school scene for decades.

• Today, the field has merely expanded, encompassing an even greater variety of competitive options for male and female students alike.
• While many students get involved in high school athletics for sheer love of the game, there are significant benefits from these extracurricular activities as well.

Here are 10 ways high school sports benefit students, some of which students and parents may not even realize.

Community Representation

While club sports have become a popular pastime for both students and college recruiters, there is still a lot to be said about playing for your high school team.

• According to , students who participate in high school sports learn the benefit of representing their community on the field or court.
• These athletes learn the fun of team rivalries and revel in the praise of a job well done for their school.
• This feeling of community and the honor of representing the home team may run over into college athletics if the student advances in his sport as well.

Fitness

The fitness level of athletes in high school sports programs cannot be underestimated.

• According to a report from the (NFHS), a 2006 study on female athletes found that when female students are given more opportunities to participate in

The state of Virginia will not be requiring public schools to accommodate home-schooled athletes in their sports programs, now that the bill dubbed the “Tim Tebow” bill has been shot down in a congressional vote. The bill was named for the NFL quarterback currently on the roster for the Denver Broncos, who was home-schooled through high school but played on the football team of his local public school. While the vote was close, some republicans and the majority of Democrats in the state agreed that a requirement would be unfair to public schools on both an economic and participation level.

This video reports on the failure of the so-called Tebow bill.

The Impact of the Bill

According to a report at the , the “Tim Tebow” bill would have ensured tens of thousands of home-schooled student across the state had the right to participate in athletic programs at local public schools. State officials estimate that around 32,000 students are home schooled in the state, although the Home School Legal Defense Association believes that number to be much higher. There is no way to predict how many of these students would take advantage of athletic programs if they were given the chance.

Currently, 25 states allow for such participation, under a variety of guidelines, according to information provided to the by the Home School Legal

Washington D.C. high schools have one of the lowest graduation rates in the country, standing currently at just 43 percent, according to the . Many efforts have been made to raise that number, but not all have received as much dialogue and debate as a recent proposal made by a DC council member. DC Council Chairman Kwame Brown (D) has proposed a new requirement for high school seniors in the city – that they show concrete evidence of college readiness before donning a graduation cap as they exit the hallowed halls of high school.

Taking Tests, Completing Applications

The Washington Post reports that Brown plans to introduce a bill to the city council that will require high school seniors to show college readiness before they graduate from high school. Under the new bill, students must take the SAT or ACT college entrance examination while still in high school. They will also need to apply to at least one college or trade school before graduation – even if the student has no intention of continuing his education after high school.

This video takes a look at a college admissions committee's deliberations.

The point behind the bill is to encourage students to complete high school by showing them what their opportunities might be after graduation. According to some education experts, taking college entrance exams and showing students and their parents

Parents can play a significant role in the academic success of their children. Unfortunately, many parents don’t realize the importance of involvement in a child’s school career and are not sure how to get involved constructively. Too much or too little parental involvement sometimes becomes detrimental to the child – a difficult obstacle for many to overcome. The good news is that you can take relatively easy steps to show your child you are interested in his or her school work and offer the necessary help and support along the way.

The Parent-Child Relationship

A successful school experience begins at home, with the relationship between the parent and child. This process involves developing good habits at home that your child will easily adapt to during the school year. It also incorporates nurturing a comfortable, trusting relationship with your child that will make him more willing to come to you when problems and challenges in the school environment do occur. Some of the ways to encourage your child’s success in school include:

This TED Talk discusses 5 Parenting Tips for Raising Resilient, Self-Reliant Kids.

Good Habits

Good home habits will limit distractions and put schoolwork at the forefront throughout the academic year. First, instill a love of reading in your child, by keeping plenty of interesting books at home and reading together on a regular basis. Let your child see you sit down with